Lately, I've been on a mountain biking kick. This is both a blessing and a curse because the more I improve at it, the more I like to challenge myself (to do stupid things). On the trails at Land Between the Lakes there are a few obstacles here and there, a few fast, slalom-like downhills, and a few jumps...nothing too crazy. However, when riding with others, there is this almost primeval instinct to do things that are nuts!
For instance, this morning we had a newbie on the trail (Ethan Walker - aka. Ewalk). He's no stranger to bicycles, but more the kind that stay on the road. As he was hot on my heels on this downhill stretch, I decided to pick up the pace a little (exceeding my normal speed). I fly around a sharp, left hand turn and glance over my shoulder (bad move - kinda like putting your hand to the plow and looking back - Luke 9:62). By the time my eyes come back to the trail, I have drifted from the hard-packed, middle of the trail to the VERY loose outside rim of the single track. Luckily, the front tire came back to center-track, as my back tire precariously slid around the rim of the trail, clipping the bark off a small sapling, and jarring me back on course.
Now, I'm not complaining at all...that was an adrenaline packed, fun few seconds! My mind was saying, "Let's do it again!" But there are times in life that we veer off course because we're seeking to impress those people who are around us. Sometimes, the Lord corrects our mistake in judgment without much hurt. Other times, he allows us to suffer injury and pain, so that we'll think twice before we do it again. "For those who I love, I rebuke and chasten..." (Revelation 3:19) What is it that you need to think twice about on your pathway of life?
No comments:
Post a Comment