The Hill

Remember when you were a little girl (sorry guys!!!) and you got your first bike? The one with the banana seat, big basket on the front and if you were lucky, a bell to ring when you were speeding down the street? Life was good....you rode in your yard, to the houses of friends to play, and to your Grandmama's--if she lived close enough to you! You'd put your baby dolls or Barbies in that basket and take off like a streak!! Woohoo! Life just didn't get much better!!!

Fast forward 20-30-and more years to the bike I now own. It's a road bike. Put your two fingers together and that's the width of the tires. Gone is the banana seat...in it's place is an uncomfortable hard seat. No more cute basket....replaced with a tiny black canvas bag that velcros under your seat. It's just big enough for CO2 cartridges, tubing for flats, car keys, and cell phone. ( I have no idea what to do with the CO2 cartridge, but my hubby said that I needed it so I have one!!) I now wear a helmet and riding gloves. No one wore a helmet when I was little--they didn't even make them!!!

This morning while riding on a "gently rolling" course near home, I was ready to tackle the hardest part of the ride...the steep downhills. I don't know what grade these hills are, but to me, it's a very high percentage!!! Most people have fun flying down the hills. I, on the other hand, lock up in fear and put the "grip of death" on the handles. I can't find the brakes fast enough! This grip is so intense that on long rides, my entire body suffers. The next day, I'll wake up and be sore all over! It's just not worth it! I would much rather be running!

There was very little traffic in the industrial park where I rode. It's a loop that I repeated 3 times. Unfortunately, the HILL was there all three times. I put the bike in a lower gear as I crested to the top of the hill anticipating what was to come. The low gear helps me to stay"grounded" and more in control as the speed increases going downhill.

At the top of the hill, I took a deep breath and leaned forward. Gravity took over, and I FLEW down the hill! The wind was in my face and all I could do was to pray that God would keep me safe from unexpected rocks in the road or huge trucks that could causes me to tighten my "grip of death" even more.

Isn't that how it is with so many of us? We want to be in control--in the driver's seat at all times. If only we would release the"grip of death" and hang onto God's wonderful plan for us, we'd be fine! He wants us to be "grounded" in Him, in His Word. When we are "baby" Christians, our walk is like that first bicycle. We are taking little steps--or rides--in familiar territory. Our family, our friends, and our churches support us and are there if we fall off the bike and skin our knees. As our faith matures, God calls us to be a little more adventuresome--the road bike. It can take us to unchartered territory. We may need a road map (or a cell phone!) to help us get back to our home. For those who have been walking with Christ for a little while, we're like that bicycle. We have to trust Him and obey His directions. If we choose not to, we'll wind up getting lost--in more ways than one! He has the perfect route for us. It has easy flats to coast, hard hills to climb, and those steep grades to enjoy the wind in your face! If we don't get off that baby bike and trust Him, we'll miss out on something absolutely wonderful! I Corinthians 2:9 says it beautifully. " No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him." I don't know about y'all, but I WANT to see and experience the plans that He has just for me!! How awesome is that???

When I made it to the bottom of the hill on loop number one, I realized that I never touched the brake! I was too busy experiencing the wind in my face and the confidence that God was flying down the road right beside me having just as much fun as I was. I think I even heard Him holler "Woohoo" flying down the hill!!


Blessings,