The last weeks have been a blur of activity with different responsibilities and pots coming to boil at the same time. Without realizing it, i was feeling the stress of it all and unknowingly affecting the family and those around me. I felt i was running hard and yet, more often than not, i found myself at or close to the same spot i started out from despite the energy expended.


I stumbled across this:

God on a Bike

At first I saw God 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 didn’t really know him.Later on when I began to recognize my Higher Power, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride, but it was a tandem bike, and God was in the back helping me pedal.

I don’t know just when it was that he suggested that we change places, but life has not been the same since. Life with my Higher Power, that is. Life has gotten more exciting with God on the front seat.

When I had control, I knew the way. It was a lot of work and often rather boring and predictable. It was usually the logically, shortest distance between any two points.

But when God took the lead, he knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even though our journey looked like madness, he said,

“Pedal.”

I worried and was anxious and asked,

“Where are you taking me?”

He laughed and didn’t answer. That is when I started to learn to trust him.

I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” he would lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance, and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, God’s and mine.

Then we would be off again. He said,

“Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.”

So I did, to all the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust him at first, in control of my life. I thought he would wreck it. But he knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, and fly through short and scary passages.

Now I’m learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places. I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face. And when I forget, become fearful and feel as if I just can’t do it anymore, I feel God smiling and hear the gentle voice that says,

“You just pedal.”


— Earl Hipp, President
Human Resource Development, Inc.

Is God in front of us and in control of the tandem bike? Are we trusting in Him or are we worried about the journey He is taking us on?It is hard ceding control of our lives and trusting in He Who is All-Knowing to guide us safely through the unknown journey ahead. If I examine myself, i have to answer honestly that i am still struggling and learning, day by day, to give up my seat on the front of that bike and turn control of the tandem bike over to God rather than taking back control at every sign of trouble.

And yet everyday, His voice reminds me that it is not about what I want in my life, the achievements or rewards I strive for at work, the hopes and desires i hold for the family. It is about learning day by day to let go of the handlebars. All I need do is pedal hard and keep up with Him.

And with that reminder, I turned the events of the last few weeks to God and in his mysterious ways, He has taken over. In the last few days, I am just as busy as ever and yet, i no longer feel the stress or the pressure i used to feel. Things are slowly but surely getting done and turning out right. Family life is once again in balance and my inner self is at equilibrium.

For all this, I give Him thanks and pray that He will continue to teach me to trust in Him and His guidance. And that He continues to do the same for you too.

- adrian t