Like Riding a Bike

One of my favorite Christmas gifts was a bicycle. I could not wait to learn to ride it. Dad made it his job to teach me. He told me a few simple rules. Then, he held his hand on the back of the bicycle seat and gave me a push.

The first few times he let go I went a few yards and fell over. It soon became apparent that I needed the lessons he was trying to teach me. I have also learned that these lessons are still important. Rules teach us many things beyond the rules themselves.

First he told me to keep my balance and peddle. If I stopped either one I would fall. Balance and motion go together. We cannot stand still. We were not made that way. We were made with arms and legs and a mouth, ears, and senses. We were made to go places and experience things. Where we go and what we experience are up to us. That is where the balance comes in. We can pedal too hard and lean too far and still fall and hurt ourselves.

Next he told me to go straight. Going straight is not only a part of keeping balance it is also necessary for learning how to control the bike. You cannot learn how to safely turn until you first know how to go straight.

Another important rule is to learn how to use the brakes. Why is that not the first lesson? The purpose of a bike is to go not to sit still. Dad showed me where the brakes were before I got on the bike. But knowing where they are and learning how to use them are two different things. You can only learn how to use the brakes if you are moving.

He also told me to stay on the road. That is important if you want to stay safe. There are dangers off the road that can be avoided if you stay on the road and watch where you are going. There are also hazards on the road such as pot holes, rocks, hills, etc. Learning to control the bike is part of the experience and comes with practice.

Finally, enjoy the ride. If you follow the rules you will get to the place where you can feel the wind in your face and enjoy the whole experience. That is the goal and when you get there you realize that was the reason for the rules all along.
Paul said, “So then, the law was our guardian, (teacher), until Christ came, in order that we might be justified by faith.” (Galatians 3:24 ESV) The purpose of the law is to teach us grace. It is just like learning to ride a bike. If you reject the rules you will fall and get hurt. Follow the rules and enjoy the ride.

Robin