As a young couple, my husband and I enjoyed riding bicycles. Later, because of my declining vision, we sold our bikes and bought a tandem bicycle. Since a ‘bicycle built for two’ isn’t a common sight, we got lots of smiles and waves – especially when we put our child in a seat on the back and all three of us would ride through our neighbourhood.

  

The person in the front seat on the bike is known as the captain or pilot. As the captain, my husband controlled the bike – steering, balancing and calling out instructions to me in the back, in the position called the stoker. My primary responsibility was to trust the pilot and provide as much power through the pedals as possible.

  

Using the tandem bike as an analogy for my spiritual journey, I understand that life works best when I give up control and trust God’s guidance to steer and provide balance. I admit that sometimes I for- get this truth and try to take control. Then I remember that just as the stoker listens for the instructions to lean into a turn or prepare for a bump in the road, I need to remember that God is in the pilot’s seat. As Jesus assured his disciples, God assures me that I am riding in tandem and am never alone. God is always present on the journey.

Prayer: Dear God, help us to let go and trust you as the one who is with us in every circumstance and moment of our journey. Amen