The Passenger

   
If you have ever been a passenger on a motorcycle, you know how important it is to become "one" with the driver. As the bike leans to the right to take a sharp corner, the passenger needs to be leaning into the corner as well. Commonly the natural reaction is to sit up straight or maybe to lean a little bit to the right, but in order for the driver to have the most control, the one on the back needs to fight the urge to fight the bike and just "go with the flow"!

This summer I was able to go visit my family and I always enjoy going for a ride on the back of my brother's bike. He tends to take me on an exciting ride, to say the least and it usually takes a little while before I get relaxed enough to become "one" with him as he speeds down the road. The ride he took me on this summer was on a great little road that sways and swerves through some really pretty countryside, but the corners are sharp and numerous. As I was swaying and swerving with the bike I was thinking about how this illustration fits life when we are living our lives with God when He is the driver and we are passengers.

Life isn't a straight road. At times there are straight sections, but they are mixed in with a variety of curves, hills and bumps. As we travel this road called life the outcome really does depend on how well we become "one" with Jesus as we allow Him to take control and handle the less-than-straight sections! Do we fight the corners and try to keep the bike upright because it feels funny to lean into the curves? Do we try too hard to see over His shoulder so we know where we are headed? Or, do we relax and just enjoy the sways and swerves of the ride? If you are like me you probably don't enjoy the ride near as much as you should or could.

Joy amidst the circumstances of life is a commonly mentioned idea in the New Testament. The Apostles faced many trials and tribulations, yet through them they mention finding joy in them. James even considers it pure joy when you face trials. How could they maintain such positive outlooks? They became "one" with the Lord Jesus in the work that God had prepared for them to accomplish. They leaned into the direction of the curves and didn't worry or strain to see over God's shoulder. They never cared where God was taking them only that God would be there with them! If we can adopt this attitude God will be able to take us so much further in the work He has planned for us! Will you examine your "ride" with Jesus and see how well you are doing being the passenger?

Do a word search for "joy" to help you find more joy in your ride with Jesus!