Happy New Year! I hope that 2026 holds many great bike adventures for you. Maybe you already have some planned out. I have some plans I’m working on myself.
Of course, it’s fine to plan out a major bike trip in advance—what route(s) to ride, what (and maybe who) to take along, etc. That kind of planning can help things go a lot smoother. But is there a point at which too much planning can take some of the enjoyment out of a ride?
If you ask me, it can. And if that’s true for a bike adventure, it’s even more so when it comes to the adventure of following Jesus. In fact, when it comes to discipleship, we do well to remember the words of Proverbs 16:9—“The human heart can make its plans, but the Lord directs our steps.” That’s why I thought it might be fitting to start this new year with a poem that uses some great cycling imagery to drive home the point. Written by an anonymous author, this poem is usually known by the title, “Just Pedal.”
At first, I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of all the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. Later, 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 to pedal.
I don’t know when He suggested we change places, but 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, and sometimes it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it looked like madness, He said, ‘Pedal.’
I worried and was anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer, and I started to learn to trust. And whenever I’d say, ‘I’m scared,’ He would lean back and touch my hand.
I didn’t trust Him at first, to be in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it. But He knows bike secrets—how to make it bend around sharp corners and how to jump high rocks!
I’m learning to shut up and pedal in the strangest places, and I’m beginning to enjoy the view and the cool breeze on my face with my delightful companion, Jesus Christ. And when I’m sure I can’t do any more, He just smiles and says, “Pedal.”
Have you given Him the front seat? If not, I invite you to do so today. There’s truly no greater “bike adventure.”
Let’s pray.
Jesus, thanks for the gift of this new year, this new day, this very moment. I want to trust you in the front seat of my life, but it’s scary sometimes. So, calm my nerves and strengthen my spirit that I might follow you faithfully and joyfully…every stroke of the pedals. Amen
Dave Marty is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Mary, in Brownsburg, Indiana. They have two beautiful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two creative teenage grandchildren. In addition to cycling (including unicycling), Dave also enjoys gardening, Scrabble, hosting Holy Land tours with Mary, and tutoring kindergarteners at a nearby school