Have you ever ridden on a tandem bicycle? A couple of years ago while Mark and I attended a conference at Cannon Beach, Oregon we explored the back streets on a tandem bicycle. Once you mount these unique bikes you quickly realize they require a little different set of skills than your ordinary Schwinn. Actually, the official title of each rider gives you a good start on understanding their role. The person in the front is called the “captain” while the person on the back is called the “stoker.” You do know what “stokers” do, right? So the captain does all of the steering and braking, while the stoker just pedals. My most important role was to pay attention and sense if we were going to be leaning to the left or right, coming to a stop, or needing extra push for an incline.
In reference to our dependency on God (our Good Shepherd) Jennifer Rothschild uses a tandem bike comparison. It is pretty obvious in this illustration that our Good Shepherd should be on the front seat. Jennifer asks, “In reality, are you on the front of the bike, in charge and pedaling hard to get to that green pasture so you can rest? Or perhaps you’re in the right place but with the wrong heart. You’re seated on the back of the bike, but constantly shouting directions to your Shepherd and calling it prayer. Do you think you know better than Him where the green pastures in your life should be? Or are you content to sit on the back of the bike, safe with your Shepherd, knowing He is in total control?”
“Following is freeing.” This will be the main idea we work on settling into our hearts this coming Thursday morning during our Ladies Bible Study time. Won’t you join us as we encourage one another to live wholeheartedly and abundantly for the Lord.