Following

What a great day to ride! Sure it was about 90 degrees and syrupy humid- but we were gliding down the Greenway- A paved path on the river draped with a canopy of lush green trees that provide bountiful shade for anyone wanting to get outside for a bit of exercise- even in the hotter parts of the day. Combine that with coolnes of the air rushing across my face as I pedalled easily along the way-and the icing on the cake- I was sharing the experience my daughter Rebecca.

It was almost perfect!

This particular day I thought it might be a good idea to teach Rebecca a little about drafting. The idea was she would fall in behind me about 6 inches off the back of my wheel. This would make her ride a little easier, as I broke through the wind resistance and she could hide in my slipstream. There are 2 rules for drafting that must be minded if the venture is to be successful for the person following. Stay as close as possible. If contact is lost the benefit of the leader's work is lost. Keep an intense focus on the rear wheel of the person you are following. If you become distracted you can easily run right up on the leader and take a tumble. Looking back now, the focus required may have been too much to ask of a 13 year old. Okay- so you guessed it- something else did catch my beautiful daughter's eye and in just that moment of distraction she ran right up on my rear wheel and down she went- hard. All I know was I heard the terrible sound of crashing metal on pavement and a scream of pain I never want to hear again. A beautiful day together gone terribly wrong.

Unfortunately, that was the beginning of the end of our bike riding together.

Following Dad can be dangerous.

Matthew 4:19 "Come, Follow Me" Jesus said.

Galatians 5:25 " Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit".

I suspect following Jesus is alot like drafting behind the perfect pace setter. He never gets tired. He always knows the perfect pace. He clears the way for me. He stops for a drink at just the right time. He knows the best way to go. All I have to do is follow closely and keep my focus on Him. Lose contact and all of a sudden the way becomes much more difficult. Lose focus and I will go down hard. Lord Jesus, Holy Spirit of the Living God, Father in Heaven- Today I will follow closely- Today I will keep my focus on You. Be powerful in me to do these things- Enable me- rise up in me for all You have in mind for me today. Father help me to learn from my past crashes- to fix my eyes on You To trust You with my way- no matter what distractions might come. Amen