Remember Beth Jordan?

Good morning…

When I wrote the word “tandem” in yesterday’s post, my thoughts were drawn back to an inspiring talk given by our dear friend, Beth Jordan. Beth went to heaven on October 11, 2017 after living fully with brain cancer through eight courageous years. (You may want to revisit her obituary.)

I vividly remember one special evening with Beth. She was just over a year into her cancer journey (having been given the prognosis of 16 months to live), when she was our Women’s Lenten Communion Service speaker at Northside Church. Beth shared a simple, anonymous story, a memorable story of wholehearted living.

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A TANDEM RIDE WITH GOD

I used to think of God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there, sort of like a president. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn’t really know Him.

But later on, when I met Jesus, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike, but it was a tandem bike, and I noticed that Jesus was in the back helping me pedal. I didn’t know just when it was He suggested we change, but life has not been the same since I took the back-seat to Jesus, my Lord.

He makes life exciting. When I had control, I thought 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, up mountains, and through rocky places and at break-through speeds; it was all I could do to hang on! Even though it often looked like madness, He said, “Pedal!”

I was worried and anxious and asked, “Where are you taking me?” He laughed and didn’t answer and I started to learn to trust. I forgot my boring life and entered into adventure. And when I’d say, “I’m scared,” He’d lean back and touch my hand.

He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave me their gifts to take on my journey, our journey, my Lord’s and mine. And we were off again. He said, “Give the gifts away; they’re extra baggage, too much weight.” So I did, to the people we met, and I found in giving I received, and still our burden was light.

I did not trust Him, at first, in control of my life. I thought He’d wreck it, but He knows bike secrets, knows how to make it bend to take sharp corners, jump to clear high rocks, fly to shorten scary passages. And I am 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 constant companion, Jesus.

And when I’m sure I just can’t do any more, He just smiles and says… “Pedal.”

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We follow the lead of those who have journeyed up life’s mountain before us. When we’re sure we can’t pedal any more, we let Jesus do the heavy lifting on our tandem ride each day. Adjusting our control levers, shifting gears from “I” to “We,” settling into the back-seat makes a delightful difference.

And how blessed all those in whom you live, whose lives become roads you travel; They wind through lonesome valleys, come upon brooks, discover cool springs and pools brimming with rain! God-traveled, these roads curve up the mountain, and at the last turn—God in full view! (Psalm 84:5-7, MSG).

…Sue…

P.S. Some of you have asked about the recording of our Lenten talk from this March. Together, we explored, positively and proactively, how to discuss with our loved ones end-of-life issues. Below is the link to our panel discussion, “Never Too Early: Finding Peace in the Planning,” the contact information for Hospice Consultant, Ginna McFarling, and the resource page shared by our panel members. Please reach out directly to Northside Church to get your planning sheet for funeral arrangements. It is never to early to find peace in longterm planning!