Sunday, January 24, 2016

The Bike Ride

All of us have memories of childhood deep inside the wrinkles of our minds. We just have to think, or have a smell, or a sound, to bring the flashback of that memory. 

Watching the children in our neighborhood go out and ride their bikes brought back a sweet memory of mine. I am sure you will be able to relate to this story.

At one time we lived in a community where folks knew everyone and spent time chatting, not only on weekends, but during the week. Life seemed to go at a slower pace. 

We lived in a house that sat smack-dab in the middle of a very long block. The street in front of our house went up the hill, around the corner, back down the hill, and around the corner again, coming back up to our house. 

When I first started riding my bike, I was given utility poles as my boundaries.
"Don't go past the poles!" mother would say as I rushed out the door for the day. Then as I grew older, on occasion, with special permission she would allow me to ride to the top of the hill with my friends! We would come flying down the hill, so fast we would not be able to keep our feet on the pedals! We would just stretch out our legs and scream with delight! 

One day my cousin, who lived across the street, was brave enough to ask could we ride all the way around the block. For what seemed like an eternity for an answer, my mother slowly replied, "Yes, but come back to the house and let me know you are back.' 

Needless to say, we were excited as we road up the hill and then slowly we made the turn to go around. Our little hearts were pounding as we had never been this far, alone, without our parents. We were excited, but yet so afraid. 

After the turn we could see the hill, just like our hill on our own street, but we had never gone down this hill before. We stopped at the top and looked at each other. Neither had the courage to go, neither had the courage to turn around. What were we to do? We must complete our mission and go around the block or we would never be allowed to do it again! So go we did......pushing our bikes down the hill!! Well, we actually held them back as we walked down the hill!

At the bottom we smiled at each other, hopped back on our bikes and rode back home. We went into the house and told mother we were back, neither said a word about our new hill. We did not even go back out that day and ride our bikes, but we felt an exhilaration of accomplishment. We had been stretched and it felt good. 

God often puts us at the top of a new hill. Sometimes the climb to the top is slow and we wonder do we really want to do what He has called us to do. We are stretched, out of our comfort zones some would say. 

We only get one chance at childhood....and we only get one chance at life. God does allow us 'do overs' on occasion, but we have usually missed the ride down the hill, maybe we even pushed our way down. 

God has a job and plan for everyone of us. He has called us out, to do His Will, to give Him glory. 

Yes, we did go back around the block, several times in fact, as years past. We grew more comfortable and actually rode down the hill! But never as fast as we did on our own home street. 

God may call you to just ride your 'bike' on your own home street. But on occasion, He may call you to go around the block. He stretches us to grow us. He is with us, encouraging us to ride the best we can ride. We only have one lifetime and He wants us to ride it with Him. 

According to your faith will it be done to you. Matthew 9:29 (NIV)

Consider the following when it comes to the ways God may want to stretch you:

  • God may want you to DO something.
  • God may want you to STOP DOING something.
  • God may want you to GIVE something.
  • God may want you to SAY something.
  • God may want you to STOP SAYING something.
  • God may want you to SELL something.
  • God may want you to BUY something. (presumably for a person or ministry in need)
  • God may want you to START something.
  • God may want you to END something.
  • God may want you to LOVE someone.
Get out there and ride your 'bike of life' that you can enjoy the thrill of Him and His Plan for you!! Just stretch out your legs, scream with delight, as you follow Him and His blessings! 

James 1:22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. HCSB

Blessings,
gs







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