The Road of Life

Michael Perkins’ post yesterday, The Passenger’s Seat, about clinging to or letting go of control made me think of this poem. I love it. It makes me laugh, and it makes me think. So I thought I’d share it with you.

The Road of Life

At first, I saw God as my observer,

my judge,

keeping track of the things I did wrong,

so as to know whether I merited heaven

or hell when I die.

He was out there sort of like a president;

I recognized His picture when I saw it,

but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on

when I met Christ,

it seemed as though life were rather like a bike ride,

but it was a tandem bike,

and I noticed that Christ was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was

that He suggested we change places,

but life has not been the same since.

When I had control,

I knew the way.

It was rather boring,

but predictable . . .

It was the shortest distance between two points.

But when He took the lead,

He knew delightful long cuts,

up mountains,

and through rocky places

at breakneck speeds.

It was all I could do to hang on!

Even though it looked like madness,

He said, “Pedal!”

I worried and was anxious

and asked,

“Where are you taking me?”

He laughed and didn’t answer,

and I started to learn to trust.

I forgot my boring life

and entered into the adventure.

And when I’d say, “I’m scared,”

He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,

gifts of healing,

acceptance

and joy.

They gave me gifts to take on my journey,

my Lord’s and mine.

And we were off again.

He said, “Give the gifts away;

they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”

So I did,

to the people we met,

and I found in in giving I received,

and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him,

at first,

in control of my life.

I thought He’d wreck it;

but He knows bike secrets,

knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners,

knows how to jump to clear high rocks,

knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up

and pedal

in the strangest places,

and I’m beginning to enjoy the view

and the cool breeze on my face

with my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more,

He just smiles and says . . . “Pedal.”

~author unknown

From Holy Sweat by Tim Hansel.