PEDAL

PEDAL - ROAD TO SUCCESS - A NAIL PEDALAt 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 recognized my God, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride. But it was a tandem bike, and I noticed God was in the back helping me pedal. I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, but life has not been the same since... God makes life exciting! When I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring but predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But when He took the lead, He knew delightful longcuts, up mountains, and through rocky places and at breakneck speeds: it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, "Pedal." I was worried and was anxious and asked "Where are You taking me?". He laughed and didn't answer, and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into the adventure.   And when I'd say "I 'm scared.", He'd 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. And we were off again. He said, "Give the gifts away; they're extra baggage, too much weight." So I did, to the people we met, and I found that in giving I received, and still our burden was light. At first, I did not trust Him in control of my life. I thought He'd wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, and fly to shorten scary passages. I'm learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I' m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful constant companion, my God. And when I'm sure I just can't take any more, He just smiles and says-"PEDAL." ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~THE ROAD TO SUCCESS THE ROAD TO SUCCESS IS NOT STRAIGHT There Is A Curve Called Failure.... A Loop Called Confusion... Speed Bumps Called Friends... Red Lights Called Enemies... Caution Lights Called Family... You Will Have Flats Called Jobs But... If You Have A Spare Called Determination... An Engine Called Perseverance... Insurance Called Faith... A Driver Called Jesus... You Will Make It To A Place Called Success! "Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:8-9. A NAILAs the story goes, they built a new church building and people came from far and wide to see it. They admired its beauty! Up on the roof, a little nail heard the people praising everything about the lovely structure-except the nail! No one even knew he was there, and he became angry and jealous. "If I am that insignificant, nobody will miss me if I quit!" So the nail then released its hold, slid down the roof, and fell in the mud. That night it rained and rained. Soon, the shingle that had no nail blew away, and the roof began to leak. The water streaked the walls and the beautiful murals. The plaster began to fall, the carpet was stained, and the pulpit Bible was ruined by water. All this because a little nail decided to quit! But what of the nail? While holding the shingle, it was obscure but it was also useful. Buried in the mud it was just as obscure, but now it was useless and would soon be eaten up by rust! The moral of the story-EVERY MEMBER IS IMPORTANT TO THE CHURCH! You may, like the nail, feel obscure at times, but just like the nail, your absence is felt. When you are not present for worship, in some way the body of Christ hurts. We are ALL a part of the Lord's ministry. -- Author Unknown