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PROGRAM D-7747
Did you ever ride on a tandem bike—a bicycle built for two? We’re imagining a journey to the high places through life—your life—on a tandem bike, where you and the Lord are going together.
As you started this journey, you asked the Lord to take the back seat and you chose to drive. Now, you’ve come to a fork in the road and decided to take the road that looks the smoothest to you, even though the Lord suggested you consult the road map he has provided for you—his book. You didn’t want to take time for that, so you just kept on pedaling.
But as the day wears on, you start to get a little tired and a little worried. “I’m not sure we’re on the right road, Lord, so let me stop and ask for directions.” You pull into a service station, and leave the Lord to watch the bike while you go inside. “Hi,” you say to the attendant, “I’m trying to get to the high places. Am I on the right road?”
“The high places?” the attendant looks a little puzzled. “Well, I’m not exactly sure where that is, but I can tell you that this road will take you to some wonderful spots where you can have a lot of fun. Remember, you only go around once in this life, so go for the gusto. This is an easy road; you’ll find that your self-confidence will improve on this road; your self-esteem will soar; and you will impress a lot of people. This road leads to fulfillment. So, keep pedaling; you are on the right road!”
You head back to the bike where the Lord is patiently waiting. “Wow, we’re going to have a great trip on this road, Lord,” you assure him. “This is the road to self-fulfillment.” He looks you in the eye and says clearly, “But the road to self-fulfillment is a dead-end. You’ll never find the high places on this road. If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it” (Matthew 16:24-25)
“Lord, you must be mistaken,” you reply in astonishment. “Everybody knows that you have to be self-fulfilled and have confidence and good self-esteem in order to be happy. This is a great road, Lord; let’s get going.”
So you start down your road again, and you pedal and pedal and pedal, but the harder you pedal, the worse this road looks. “Lord, are you pedaling?” you ask, but you hear nothing from behind you. Finally, exhausted from your search for self-fulfillment, you stop and the tears start to roll down your cheek.
“My child,” he says to you so gently, “are you now ready for me to take the driver’s seat?”
