Bicycle built for two

The wheels of life go round and round, round and round.
Life can viewed as riding a bike. The wheels that take us on our journey contain within their rims the story of our life.
As life goes forward, our wheels turn carrying us toward our destination. We are peddlers through life. As we steer along life’s path we are faced with many obstacles which threaten to throw us off course or cause us to have a head on collision. Each ride requires us to be vigilant of the path we have taken, sometimes requiring us to seek another path. A ride through life is a spiritual balancing act and like the cyclist on the high wire act, we are always in danger of falling off.
Each day we climb on to our bike and start peddling. Some days we cruise along with little interruption. We feel in control, a pleasant ride, coasting along through an uneventful day. Climbing off we congratulate ourselves on a good days ride.
Other days we find the path we have chosen is filled with bumps, pot holes, and detour signs. On those days we bob and weave our bike through situations that threaten to throw us off. Other days we wisely shift into reverse, backing up to take a less hazardous route.
 But inevitably the day comes when we are caught off guard, riding head on into disaster. We have a total wipe out that can leave us in an emotional heap. We lose our confidence, we question our faith, we suffer spiritually and we ask, “Is this journey, this path through life worth the effort”?
How quickly we forget that our ride is never alone, that we are riding in tandem with God. Sadly, we easily make God our co-pilot, not our pilot, ensuring a ride that will eventually have consequences in our relationship with Him.
The bumps and pot holes can cause the first crack in our relationship with God. Often we congratulate ourselves for skillfully navigating our way through life, boasting to others of our competence, taking all the credit, choosing to leave God on the back seat of our bike.
Then comes the day of the crash, one that leaves us bruised, broken and questioning. We think “I didn’t see it coming, this is unfair, and I don’t deserve this”! Slowly picking ourselves up, we begin the process of assessment or, is it blame? We ask, “Where were you God when I needed you?  Why didn’t you warn me, you were supposed to be there?” Then comes the litany of self effacing excuses; “I go to church, I pray, I serve others, how you could let this happen to me”. I think His response would be (my words); I was ALWAYS with you, I was on the back seat where you conveniently placed me when you chose to be your own pilot. When you decided you didn’t need me to help you on your daily ride.
As mortals we are predisposed to thinking we are in charge of our own destiny, which is why we often think we can choose the paths we take without first communing with God. Everyday we climb on the bike, we are free to make the decision of who is going to be the master of our ride.
As we peddle forward there are no guarantees that troubles are not around each corner. But this we know; if we choose to make God our Pilot, if we lean on him, if we keep to His word and let Him choose our paths, the ride will always, always be easier!
For it is written:

“…He guides me in paths of righteousness”  Psalm 23:3
“You have made know to me the path of life.”  Psalm 16:11
“Teach me your way oh Lord: lead me in a straight path..” Psalm 27; 11
“Never will I leave you; Never will I forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5

Have a great ride!