Joy Ride

Now that my boys are older, they can ride their bikes to meet their friends at the tennis courts. It’s a big deal for them and a big deal for me. I don’t have to drive them and they get to spread their “wings” a bit. I experienced something similar when my family moved from Chicago to one of the remote southern suburbs. I was about their age, and I was permitted to ride my bike and explore my new community. It was as if some invisible tether my parents held had been let out – way out. I went on bike rides just for the fun of it. There were times I didn’t have a destination in mind; it was just a joy ride.

Now as a parent I am both excited and nervous to be letting out the tether for my children. I’ve been excited because I have always felt that Chippewa Falls is the kind of place that makes letting out that “tether” somewhat easier. I’m a little nervous because I know that I did some stupid things on my adventures, and I’m pretty sure they will also; but it is time for them to go out on their own joy rides and discover their new home and community. I want them to experience to the fullest what God has prepared for them here.

Experiencing things to the fullest doesn’t only include the fun and exciting moments. It also includes the unexpected and ugly moments. My family experienced an ugly moment today. My oldest son’s bike was stolen as he played tennis at the high school courts with his brother. No physical harm was done, but inside we are all a bit sore. I am deeply saddened that the community I live in is less safe than I envisioned. Chippewa Falls got a bit dirtier today. In addition to my son’s bike being stolen, the “spiritual bike” I’ve been joy-riding here has been stolen from me as well. If I get the chance to speak to the offender, I just want to ask, “What were you thinking? Do you realize that you made this special place less so?” I want to tell him or her that the one act of selfishness on their part not only hurt my son and family, but it wounded an entire community.

I can just hear the person’s reply, “Dude, Chill out! It’s only a bike; don’t make a federal case out of it.” Actually, I can hear a lot of people saying that – only it goes like this: “Hey High and Mighty Dude! Chill out. It’s only a bite; don’t make a universal case out of it.” By the way, I’m not talking about bikes anymore. I’m referring to the way many people react to the consequences resulting from Adam and Eve’s act of selfishness in the Garden of Eden. Many people believe that God overreacted to the sin of disobedience. He didn’t. Sin is ugly and far more damaging than any of us can imagine. In Genesis 3:13 God asked Eve, (not for His benefit, but for hers), “What have you done?” Adam and Eve failed to see that their “one bite” brought sin into the world, and death spread to everyone (Romans 5:12). Because of the sin, even the ground was cursed; creation was wounded (Genesis 3:17).

If that’s where this story ends, it would be a huge disappointment, but it’s not where it ends. God pointed me to the following passages of Scripture:

“Therefore, since we have been made right in God’s sight by faith, we have peace with God because of what Jesus Christ our Lord has done for us. Because of our faith, Christ has brought us into this place of undeserved privilege where we now stand, and we confidently and joyfully look forward to sharing God’s glory. We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment…” (Romans 5:1-5)

“Against it’s will, all creation was subjected to God’s curse. But with eager hope, the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God’s children in glorious freedom from death and decay.” (Romans 8:20-21)

God made a wonderful way for everything to be restored. So I sincerely hope and pray that the person who stole the bike comes to know Christ as their Lord and Savior and allows the Holy Spirit to guide their life, instead of following their sinful nature. I would also like my son’s bike returned, but more importantly, I am not waiting for my “spiritual bike” to be returned. I am, by the authority of Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit, taking back what God has given me. I’m taking back my “spiritual bike” which was stolen by the devil. It belongs to me, not him!

I have a joy ride to get back to. You do too.

Grace to you.

Dave Paukner