| Tandem TravelingI 
first saw Christ 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 a president. I recognised his picture when I saw it, but I didn't really 
know him. But later on, when I met Christ, it seemed as 
though life were rather like a bike ride. But it was a tandem bike, and I noticed 
that Christ was on the back helping me pedal. I don't know when it was that he 
suggested that we change places, but life has not been the same since. Christ 
makes life exciting, when I had control, I knew the way. It was rather boring 
and predictable. It was the shortest distance between two points. But 
when he took the lead, he knew delightful long cuts, up mountains and through 
rocky passages at break neck speeds. It was all I could do to hold on. Even though 
it looked like madness, he said, "Pedal!" I worried, 
and was anxious and asked, 'where are you taking me?' he laughed and didn't answer, 
and I started to learn 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 who had gifts that I 
needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take 
on my journey, our journey, my Lord and mine. And we were 
off again. He said, 'give the gifts away; they're extra weight'. So I did, to 
the people we met, and found in giving I received, and still our burden was light. I 
did not trust him, at first, in control of my life. I thought he'd wreck it. But 
he knows a bike's secrets, how to make it take sharp corners, jump to clear high 
rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I'm learning to 
shut up and pedal in the strangest places and I'm beginning to enjoy the cool 
breeze on my face with my constant companion Christ. And 
just when I'm sure I can't do any more, he just smiles and says, "Pedal." Author 
Unknown      
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