Bike riding

I love riding my bike. I don't do it much, in fact it's very rare to ever see me riding it. Yet every once in a while I can't help but jump on top and explore the neighborhood. We have a large neighborhood that is loaded with big curves and hills. From my driveway all the way around the main stretch (one of many roads) and back again to my driveway is exactly one mile. I enjoy following the road.

Today as I rode I began to notice every change that the road had. I would ride straight for a few consecutive seconds and then without warning or notice, the road would curve left and I would be forced to correct my direction or I would end up in a person's yard. 

The road, a non living, motionless thing controlled my choices and direction. If not I would quickly lose the comfort of asphalt and trade it with the discomfort of dirt and grass. It was so easy to stay on the path. It was so easy to drive the way everybody else drove. At one time the road declined so greatly with so much distance that I didn't even have to pedal. For at least a mile and a half, I let the road drive my bike. I went faster, stronger, easier. I became used to the way the road drove. Yet as I neared the end, I quickly realized that the road deserted me when it came to the ride back up. The road didn't help me when I had to return up the incline. It had its fun with me until I reached the bottom. At the bottom, I was left to drive back home alone. 

I realized then that although the path maybe easy, and sometimes even done without any effort, it does not--in any way--have my best interest at heart. 

Don't waste your time with the "comfort" of the wide, paved road. Get your knees dirty as you pray in the midst of dirt and grass. The normal path that everyone follows in this world leads nowhere but down. It's the "uncomfortable" and sometimes hard road that leads you to God.

P.S.: If you get tired on the way, God is a great cyclist. 

Who will you blame?

I just got back from a short bike ride. Three miles, up and down, curves, etc. It was great. A great time to just talk to God, and actually listen. It's so hard to listen to God now a days. During my "trek" however, I was able to truly listen to what he would tell me. 

I wasn't expecting this.

There are many references to the bible that show  us that we are truly without excuse before God. Romans chapter 1 tells us that because Jesus has come to us on our level, it leaves us without excuse before God. John chapter 15 tells us the exact same thing. The bible basically rips apart any and every excuse to having excuses. We realize that God knows all, and that because of that our sins lay bare before him.

However, as I was riding my bike God birthed this thought into my mind: who will we blame for our sins? It's so easy to pin point someone else for our mishaps. 

"Well he did it, therefore I should be able to do it!"

"She said it and wasn't reprimanded! Why should I be in trouble?"

"He lives this way and he has a wonderful life! Why should I be any different?"

We hinge our actions and choices on others so easily. We might as well live their lives instead of ours. God said very plainly that our decisions, actions, beliefs, and sins are our entire responsibility. It's time that we face our own identity crisis and take the blame for our problems. Once we realize that we are at fault, then our healing will come.