Rough Riding
A few weeks ago, I was minding my own business as I drove through a local office park. I was appreciating the well-manicured, tree-lined median… when I noticed there was a biker on either side of me. The biker to my right was to be expected. He was riding on the sidewalk, as you might anticipate. The rider to my left, however, was an anomaly. Instead of using the opposing sidewalk, he was riding on the grassy median. He took me off guard. I can’t say I’ve seen anyone choosing to ride through grass and negotiate each upcoming tree trunk, especially with a clear sidewalk within his view. Then it occurred to me: he was likely training for an off-road bike race.As I chuckled at my own ignorance, I started thinking how the two bikers represent the contrast in how we approach our relationship with the Lord. (Call me crazy, but it’s true!) On one hand, we can get on our bike and expect that, because we love the Lord, there will always be a smooth sidewalk for us to ride on. When we hit a place where the sidewalks are in rough shape, or there are no sidewalks at all, we act as if we’ve been wronged. We respond as if someone overpromised us great weather, no flat tires, and crack-free sidewalks as believers.The truth is that when sin entered the world, God’s heart broke. He knew that the paradise He created had been marred. Out of love for us, He not only sacrificed His Son so we could be reunited with Him, but He also provided us help while we are here in this broken world. In John 16:7, Jesus says:
“Nevertheless, I tell you the truth: it is to your advantage that I go away, for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you. But if I go, I will send him to you.”
God provides a future of uncracked sidewalks once we leave our time here. But He’s also made it very clear that we’d have His Helper while we’re on this earth. Beyond that, Scripture reminds us six different times of God’s promise to never leave us, nor forsake us.If you are in a rough season right now, please do not make the mistake of thinking God has abandoned you. He cares deeply for you. He has sustained you each and every day.Life here really is more often the journey of the off-road biker. As a believer, we are not promised an easy ride but we are promised that the One who loves us perfectly will be with us each step of the way. He will see you through.