Bike Path

You know I went through Next Step training following Challenge Day earlier this year and received some transforming information. One of the questions, which I have based the last several devotionals on, is “and how is that like my life?” Last week I had two opportunities to try on a different question … “and how is that like my NEW life?” So, here goes one of the scenarios…



It’s Monday, 20 minutes to 10 a.m. when the book store offers its children’s reading hour. I load the kids in the bike trailer, hop on and head down the highway. Half way there a car blocks the path in front of a small hotel. I steer the bike head on into traffic livid. My two little ones bump along behind be.

Several thoughts go through my head. I stop the bike in clear view of the manager’s office and walk up to the glass window. In a polite tone, the best I can manage, I ask, “Would someone please move that Lexus from the bike path? I just had to drive my kids into traffic.”

A large man jumps up and apologizes as he goes to move the car. I smile and ride on.

Now, what are my choices?

At the corner where I turn into the road, I could keep riding on pissed off at whoever was dumb enough to park on the bike path. “Don’t they know, blah, blah, blah, blah.” I could get angry and stay angry. At the book store I could complain to everyone. I could ruin the atmosphere there and rant on and on, “how awful … how stupid...” We all know someone like that.

But I’m done with anger that’s insidious. Aren’t you? Let the anger spark action. What I said got that guy to move his car and open the path for everyone to use.

“And how is that like my new life?”

What we say and do has the power to bring about change.

It’s the power of God in us if we are children of God. According to 1 John 4:4 the one who is in us is greater than the one who is in the world. Our words and actions change our own life and the lives of others who haven’t even come down the path yet.

Gifted Quill Devotional
By Nancy Lucas
315 words
October 16, 2006