The only way to travel...

Isn’t it funny how the simplest of truths are often the most neglected; the things we are most certain of sometimes seem so easily forgotten… Maybe it was because my wife and I were feeling a tad sentimental after having been away from our children for a few days (vacation). Then again, it may have been that we are struggling with the fact that our youngest is about to enter 2^nd grade. Whatever the reason, yesterday afternoon we found ourselves all gathered around the kitchen table watching old home videos from when the kiddos were younger. While searching through the archives on our computers, we came across Mati’s first time to ride her bike without training wheels. The brief video below shows Mati’s initial attempts… It also illustrates a simple principle that is true for us all, yet one that is quite easy to forget…

At first, Matilyn was veering into trees and yard signs, and struggled just to stay on the bike. However, it wasn’t because she was incapable of steering, rather she was unwillingly to take her eyes off the pedals and the front wheel of her bicycle. So though she was more than physically able, she didn’t travel very far.

We finally convinced Mati to look up and fix her eyes ahead. “Yay sissy, come to us!” Mom encouraged. “Look ahead, look at me…come on, come get me!” I said as we prompted Mati to quickly pedal my way. She did! And as our middle child so elequently pointed out, “That was the farthest she got!” (Pardon his grammar but you get the point.) By focusing her attention ahead and looking to her father (I hope you are seeing the symbolism here), she enjoyed her longest and most successful ride.

There are lots of reasons to drop our heads. Shame, fatigue, confusion, and all the anxious worries of the hour often take our eyes for a glance anywhere but heavenward. We are easily distracted by fear and forgetfulness that averts our eyes from the ultimate goal placed before us. Afraid of spinning out or losing control, we fail to focus on our Father. As believers, we know we ought to gaze upon the cross and remember the hope therein. We know we are beckoned to set our hearts and minds on eternal things, which are above (Colossians 3:2, Philippians 3:19, Romans 8:5, 2 Corinthians 4:18). We are aware of Scripture’s call to look to Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith (Hebrews 12:2). Yet for various reasons, we forget such simple truth – that the narrow road ahead is the only one worth traveling (Matthew 7:13-14).

In closing, I would be remised if I failed to share the importance of community as it pertains to staying on track and fixing our eyes on the Lord. While in the above video we observe our daughter chasing hard after me, her father, we notice others cheering her on as well – Mati’s mama and brothers. As a brief side, that is my favorite part of the clip - seeing the genuine joy of Brooks and Chandler as their sister finally experiences success, also hearing such excitement expressed in the voice of my wife!

May we look to our Father and pedal toward Him with all of our strength. Might we make such a pursuit of the Lord in gospel-rich communities that encourage us along our way (2 Timothy 2:22). Perhaps in so doing, we can avoid a few more trees, and yard signs, and stumbling opportunities that come about, and bring Him much glory.