Trikes, Bikes, and Jesus

Years ago I remember the joy (and frustration) of taking our oldest daughter out to teach her to ride a tricycle. Until these early moments of training with my daughter, I never realized just how much strength and skill went into riding a trike. First comes the strength to push the pedals to keep the trike moving forward, then comes the strength to take off from a dead stop, then comes the strength and ability to steer the trike, and finally, the coordination to take off from a dead stop, propel the trike forward, keep the trike moving forward consistently, steer the trike and keep it on a smooth path, and watch for dangers around you.   

Well, our daughter has learned how to ride the tricycle, she has moved on to a bike with training wheels and very soon we will be removing the training wheels from her bike. It has been great to watch her grow in strength, coordination, and balance as she has mastered the skills of bike riding

Robert Tuttle wrote that the "Christian walk is much like riding a bicycle; we are either moving forward or falling off". There is a great deal of truth to this statement. God calls us to so much more than simply sitting still and getting by.

What if we, as Christians were happy with sitting still and just getting by? Well, it would be much like a person that learned how to ride a trike and decided to stay on the trike for the rest of their lives, relying on this small, three-wheeled vehicle for all of their transportation needs. Can you imagine a bunch of grown men and women riding tricycles to and from work on a daily basis? Quite a comical sight, you must admit.

And, if you have ever taught someone to ride a tricycle or a bicycle, or if you have ever tried to teach yourself, you understand how much time, patience, training, and concentration it requires. Likewise, you understand that it comes with its share of bumps, bruises, and scrapes and that it requires some level of risk taking and discomfort.

It is the same with the Christian journey. Many come to Jesus Christ, accepting His call to repentance and the love, joy, and hope that He brings to their lives. But, Christ call His followers to continue to  "strict training" in His ways (1 Corinthians 9). Likewise, Christ calls His followers to be disciplined (Hebrews 12) and to endure the bumps, bruises, and scrapes that come with following Him. Then, many of Christ's followers are called to a level of risk and discomfort, called to follow the will of Jesus and give up everything for Him (Acts 15).

You see, standing still is not an option, you are either moving forward or your falling down. You will not get anywhere by simply getting on the bike if you are not willing to ride it. And riding takes training, patience, and endurance. But the destination is well worth the training and the ride.