Thoughts on a 4 Wheeler

Sunday I had the opportunity to learn how and to ride a 4 wheeler for the first time. Once I had gotten the hang of it, my two *sisters and their dad took me out on the trails. At first everything was nice and smooth, but as I rode along I soon found myself deep in thought.

I thought about the trail that was already there that we rode on. Someone had already cut it before I got there. Closer observation of the trail and I realized that not only had the tail been cut, but many others had been down the trail before me. It was well packed down as if it had been traveled many times. At first I drove quite slow and as I rode along the path was nice and smooth and being new to 4wheeling it seemed like everything about the dangers of it were all silly. It was easy. I didn’t see how I could possibly fall off and get hurt. But as I continued down the trail becoming more and more self confidant I began to go a bit faster and less worried about the path as I tried to keep up with my sister ahead of me. Then it hit, the path became bumpy and I realized it wasn’t so smooth after all. As I continued on the path it became more challenging and there were even sticks and other obstacles in the way. At times there were creeks to cross. There were also hills to climb, and valleys to go through. I also would look around me to see the things surrounding me. There were berries, flowers, and other plants along with the trees. In the distance I could see the mountains and the sky. I could look behind and see one of my sisters or ahead and see my other sister. Ahead of her was her dad. As I watched him he would turn around from time to time to make sure all three of us girls were safe behind him. A few time my sister behind me lost power and her 4 wheeler came to a stop and he would stop and help her and then we would get on the way again.

So what was it that had me in such deep thought? As I thought about the trail I thought about how Jesus has cut the trail for us as our example. I realized I didn’t have to make my own trail, but only had to follow the one cut out for me. I realized the worn out path I must travel has already been traveled by many others and I’m not alone in my journey. Others have gone this path before. I realized how easy it is to forget who gives us the strength for each day and keeps us safe when we act silly and try to go about our day without Him. As I went over the bumps I thought about how our lives often have bumps, and trials that we must go through. Then I remembered that I was not the first one to have to cross the path, but that Jesus has left the little bumps and sticks in our path to strengthen us and to remind us that without Him we can do nothing. I crossed the creeks and thought about how sometimes we need to get a little wet along the way. One way this happens is by baptism. I also thought of the verse that says “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine. When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee”. The hill and valleys reminded me of how there will be times when we are in the valley, but we will also have mountain top experiences. I also thought about how the things around us can be a means to distract us from our walk with God. There were briars on the berry bushes and poisonous plants such as poison ivy and poke that could do harm. We have to keep our eyes ahead on the mark and not let things get in the way, no mater how tempting like the berries beside the trail. I also saw that we need to keep our eves on Jesus and like the song, no turning back. We can easily become distracted by where others are in their journey that it can cause us to stumble. But I also realized we need to be caring and make sure we encourage or help others when they need help. After he had helped my sister start her 4 wheeler, he climbed back on his and continued on his way. The last thing was I though about the leader. We had a guide along the way. Jesus hasn’t left us without a guide. He has given us the Bible as our guide to show us what way to go. It is our Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth and without it we would be lost.

I’m thankful for the beautiful pictures that Jesus loves to paint in our minds to show us His ways!

*Since I don’t have any real sisters, I have ‘adopted’ sisters over the years.