We can quickly find people who want to be part of success, but not nearly as many stay on to share in the struggle.
"Many a man claims to have unfailing love, but a faithful man who can find?" Proverbs 20:6
When the boys were little, I tried to teach them all how to ride a bike. And for the most part it worked out fine. But each time, I was taken aback by something each of them told me.
I would bring their bike out of the garage. I'd dress them up in their long sleeve shirts, pants, knee pads and helmets. And then I'd hop on the bike and say, "OK now you have to do it like this." And I'd take off pedaling.
I'd go around in a circle and then come back to them and each of them would be in tears by the time I got back.
"What's wrong?" I'd ask in dismay.
"I'm not going to ride" they'd wail.
"Why!? Why not, this is how you do it!" I'd reply exasperated.
"I'm not going to ride until you put on a helmet!" they exclaimed back to me.
Yes. Safety conscious the whole bunch.
When I was five years old my parents got me a bike made for a teenager. It was on sale and when I looked at it, I had to look up to see the seat. "You'll grow into it," they would happily explain. And they were right. I did. But to look at the thing it was as tall as the Empire state building.
When I learned to ride, I would lean the bike against the house (the kickstand wasn't strong enough), get a step stool and literally climb up the bike to get to the seat. It took me a while to master balancing and then a little bit more to get the hang of pedaling. But I still remember the first time I made the big thing go.
I was elated.
Until I learned that my legs weren't long enough to pedal backwards to put on the brakes.
Big ol' crash that one was.
But I didn't give up. I hopped back on and pedaled from the front yard to the back yard where we had a wooden fence. And then for my brakes, I'd crash into the fence.
I got pretty good at crashing. And steering for that matter. My dad had to replace the wooden board I used for a bullseye.
There were no knee pads. No safety gloves. And definitely no helmets. Just me, my gargantuan bike and a wooden fence.
Funny how things change.
Fast forward twenty some-odd years and you'll find another little boy. All decked out in safety gear and training wheels and a big, fat daddy running around behind them yelling words of encouragement, breathing heavily trying to keep up and wearing on his head like an old beanie; another five-year old's safety helmet.
Yes. Even when I wasn't riding I had to wear the helmet.
When God calls us, sometimes we resist and think that what God wants us to do is silly. Why would we leave the comfort of our homes to go on a mission trip in a third world country? That's silly. Why would we give some of our hard earned money to help feed people who don't work? That's silly. Why would we give up a life of power and success to start a Christian ministry? That's silly.
Why would a grown man wear a safety helmet that's ten sizes too small? Because I love my kids.
Why would God send His son to die so you can have salvation? Because of love.
Love makes us do silly things sometimes. That's what faith is all about.
Let us pray.
Our gracious God. We pray this day that you'll call us to do the silly. The unexpected and the crazy. Because we know that sometimes love just doesn't make sense. In Christ's name we pray. Amen.
The Blessings of our Lord Jesus Christ be with You.
PASTOR TROY CONRAD IS MINISTER OF FARMINGTON UNITED METHODIST CHURCH. EMAIL: [email protected].
Religion on 05/25/2016