27 May
Training Wheels
I remember my very first bicycle: a deep purple frame, a white basket fastened to the handlebars, beaded spokes framed by white tires, and pedals that acted as the brakes when spun in reverse. I loved that bicycle because no matter how much I swerved, my bike always stayed on course. It never teetered or ventured from its straight, upright position. No matter how much I leaned to each side, my bike remained steady, held in place by a sturdy set of training wheels.
I looked great riding my bike with my colorful helmet, my elbow pads, and my woven storage basket. However although it seemed like I was a successful young cyclist, I was reliant on the training wheels to guide my every move. I was not responsible for maintaining the steadiness of my bike or from keeping it from falling. I merely steered and pedaled and the training wheels did the rest. But one August day, bike riding was transformed forever.
The time had come to remove the training wheels after a year or two of mastery with them securing my bike to the level ground. I tottered, fearing riding on my own, without the help of the rear wheels. I began timidly pedaling down a small slope – weaving this way and that – and then, out of the blue, a dear family friend gave me a hearty shove and sent me careening down the embankment. For the first time I was flowing, falling, flying down the pavement, steering entirely on my own, shifting my weight as is necessary to maintain a steady pace. For once, I was actually riding my bike.
This memorable learning curve taught me the importance of proper training before taking a leap (or rapid glide) of faith. I learned how to take the tools of training wheels and transform my skills so that I could build upon those I had obtained while the training wheels were still on. I had mastered the art of steering and the sometimes strenuous task of pedaling, so that I only had to refine my balance to fulfill the skills necessary to ride a bike.
In the same way, Christ equips us with His precepts while we are young Christians. As we mature in Christ and continue to be obedient to Him, we are given more responsibilities and eventually He tests us with tasks we can only complete when we are obedient to Him and mindful of His teachings. When God steps back for a moment and allows us to walk on our own, trusting us to rely on His commands and teachings, will we be ready? Can we function without our spiritual training wheels? At first, it is a scary experience but soon, fear turns to thrill and thrill to joy as we begin to delight in that which Christ can accomplish through us.
All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:16-17
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Filed in: Journey, Relationship
About the Author
Sarah is a freshman at Belmont University where she is studying journalism and theater. She can be found snuggling up with a good book, discovering new music, riding in her car with the windows down (singing at the top of her lungs) and playing guitar on her front porch. She also enjoys writing music and lyrics. Her passions for traveling, ministry, and fighting social injustice foreshadow an exciting journalism career post-college. In the meantime, she hopes to go skydiving, take a stunt driving course, and go backpacking in the Rockies all while living a life that points others to her beautiful Savior and Lord, Jesus Christ. Sarah can be contacted via email at vagabond99@live.com.
