I followed my husband on his still fairly new motorcycle to the shop for its 600-mile checkup and maintenance. The drive takes about 40 minutes down Alton and he was taking it a bit slow so I could keep up. I had plenty of time to notice all the cars trying to go above speed limit and whiz around me to get where they were supposed to be 5 minutes ago.
It reminded me of the differences in the Christian walk. New believers tend to zing here and there, starting and stopping, changing direction, so excited. More mature believers are focused on following Jesus, keeping their eyes on Him and relaxing, enjoying the ride. My small group leader had an opportunity to journey alongside of one of those mature believers when her good friend was dying of cancer. Even through every trial and pain, her friend was full of grace, joy and wisdom.
That sure focus can be ours, if we remember to keep our eyes on Jesus as we journey through this life. If we don’t look around and notice everyone passing us, seemingly getting ahead, but continue to follow Jesus, at his pace, his path, his ways. He is our guide. Let’s let him do his job and do ours: Follow!
Then the other side of my brain, the part that worries, says what am I going to do? What do I do next? How do I get the (money, relationship, degree, job, home, house, gifts, etc) I need? To that part of me, I read this scripture and remember…
Matthew 6:33 (The Message)
30-33″If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don’t you think he’ll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I’m trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God’s giving. People who don’t know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, and God-provisions. Don’t worry about missing out. You’ll find all your everyday human concerns will be met.
So, my first step is read my bible. My second step is to spend time every day praying. My third step? To take care of what is before me. And the fourth step? I’ll ask my guide and he will show me.
