This feature article is from our Fall 2018 Issue of Cherished Magazine. It’s by Katie M. Reid. Be inspired by the thoughtful visual of our relationship with God. Learn more about trusting God and embracing your God-given design in Katie’s book, Made Like Martha: Good News for the Woman Who Gets Things Done (which contains a bonus 5-week Bible Study for individuals/groups).
Riding Tandem
My husband asked me to join him on a road bike tour: five days, 270ish miles, from Lansing to the Mackinac Bridge (in Michigan). Adam had been on this tour, the DALMAC, three other times, but this year he wanted his wife to come along for the ride.
Surprisingly, I said yes…with two conditions:
1. We would ride a tandem bike (I wanted to be welded together so I wouldn’t end up at the back of the pack with tears streaming down my face because I wanted to quit). He agreed.
2. We would not share a tent with anyone else (five days, people, I’m a married woman). He agreed.
Adam rode in the front of our tandem recumbent bike. I couldn’t see what was directly in front of us. It was a trust-building activity for sure. Adam was a great leader and coach to this novice rider. He did the brunt of the work and I provided support (and continual conversation) from the back.
At one point we went over thirty miles an hour, down a hill. Hitting a pebble the wrong way would have sent us flying, yet the thrill of letting go (from the standpoint of control—don’t worry, I didn’t let go of the handlebars!) was invigorating.
In some ways riding tandem can feel confining.
You can’t go wherever you want without consulting your partner. You have to work with each other in order to be effective. But as you find your rhythm, riding tandem becomes double strength.
The same is true of our relationship with the Lord. We have an opportunity to follow the One who knows the way. Sometimes it feels like you lose momentum when you encounter steep inclines, other times you experience carefree moments of joy, and sometimes you face monotony as you ride mile after mile on flat surfaces. Your participation in this faith journey is needed as you are led. Through it all, you don’t do it alone.
You have a built-in Helper, always available to show you the way to go.
But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you. Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful (John 14:26-27, NASB).
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