Unity Ride

(Back to Blogging as I slog away through edits and rewrites of Eliza’s Story.)

There will be a highway called the Holy Road. No one rude or rebellious is permitted on this road. It’s for God’s people exclusively— impossible to get lost on this road. Not even fools can get lost on it. Isaiah 35: 8-10 (The Message)

Today, we rode motorcycles with some friends to at city about fifty miles away for a “Unity Ride” sponsored by several different Christian motorcycle groups. Our small group met almost 1,000 other motorcycle riders at a rendezvous site. We left there to ride to a church for lunch and a rally. The line of motorcycles riding in pairs stretched for over a mile. It was pretty incredible to be a part of the large crowd. In order for such an event to be safe, there must be rules for the ride. Everyone controls their speed and rides carefully, keeping a safe distance between each other. They must be courteous, no road hogs, and watch out for each other. Policemen escorted us along the way holding back traffic at intersections as people watched us come into town. Most riders behaved very well, but at one point, I looked over at the guy beside us. I think he was the only one in the whole assembly riding without his helmet. He steered with one hand and talked on his cell phone with the other. I shook my head at his stupidity, but, even he managed to stay with the company and make it to our destination point. Whenever we go on one of these group rides, whether there are a few or many of us, I struggle with my role. I am not in charge. I do not set the route. I do not order the day. I cannot look behind me nor can I look ahead without leaning around my husband and causing unbalance. I just sit on the back of his bike and enjoy the moment. I am along for the ride. Each time, one person is designated as the “Road Captain.” It is their job to plan the route. They lead, and everyone else follows. There is always one person who comes behind to make sure everyone keeps up with the group and is safe. It is always good when we have a non bike rider go along to drive the chase truck. You never know when someone might break down and need a lift. These scriptures remind me of riding with today’s group of motorcyclists and the daily walk of a Christian. We need fellow believers in our life to keep us on the correct highway. If they are following Christ, then, we can follow them and know we will end up in the right place. They come along beside of us and help us when we fall. They encourage us to keep going and remind us of our final destination. Today, with so many motorcyclists all headed on the same highway, it was impossible to get lost. Even the knucklehead who was not completely paying attention to the road. How about you? Do you have some Christians in your life to help lead you to the right path? You never know when you will get distracted and need someone to point you to the Holy Road.