CHARLES JOHNSON

At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge,
Keepimg track of the things I did wrong,
So as to know whether I merited heaven
Or hell when I die.

He was out there sort of like a president,
I could recognize His picture when I saw it,
But I really didn't know Him.

But later on, when I met Christ,
It seemed as though life
Were rather like a bike ride,
But it was a tandem bike,
And I noticed that Christ
Was in the back helping me pedal.

I don't know just when it was
That He suggested we change places,
But my life has not been the same since.

When I had control, I knew the way.
It was rather boring, but predictable. . .
It was the shortest distance between
Two points.

But when He took the lead,
He knew delightful long cuts,
Up mountains, and through rocky places
At breakneck speeds,
It was all I could do to hang on!
Even though it looked like madness,
He said, "Pedal!"

I was worried and anxious and asked,
"Where are you taking me?"
He kaughed and didn't answer,
. . . And I started to learn to trust.

At times, there were marshes,
Fire, slush, and even deep waters;
When He would notice rigidity of my physical frame
He would turn His head toward me,
I could hear Him say, "Pedal!"

I forgot my boring life
And entered into the adventure.
And when I'd say, "I'm scared,"
He'd lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed,
. . . gifts of healing, love,
. . . acceptance, patience,
. . . joy and peace.

They gave me gifts to take on my journey,
My Lord's and mine.
We were off again.
He said, "Give the gifts away;
They're extra baggage, too much weight."
So I did, to the people we met,
And I found that in giving I received,
And still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him at first,
In control of my life.
I thought He'd wreck it;
But He knows bike secrets,
. . . knows how to make it lean and bend to make sharp corners,
. . . knows how to jump to clear high rocks and surbs,
. . . knows how to fly to shorten scary passages.

And I am learning to shut up
And pedal in the strangest places,
And I'm beginning to enjoy the view,
And the cool breezes on my face
With my delightful constant companion, Jesus Christ.

And, when I'm sure I just can't do it anymore,
Can't hold on any longer, "I've never been here before,".
With an understanding, confident grin, He says, "Pedal!"