A Parable

The author of this delightful parable is unknown. I discovered it in The Adventure of Discipling Others by Ron Bennett and John Purvis.

At first I saw Christ 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 the president, I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I really didn’t know Him.

But later on, when I recognized His presence, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tendem 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 hasn’t 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 and at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even through 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. When I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people who had gifts I needed–gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, Christ’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 that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I didn’t 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, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages.

And I’m learning to be quiet 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.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do it any more, He just smiles and says, “Pedal.”