Rich Dixon invites us to go on a ride of trust.

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On FREEDOM TOUR 2016, our fourth year, a few things were different from previous rides.

Some were planned, some just happened. Following Jesus seems to be like that.

Demonstrating questionable theological discernment, we picked an orange/blue jersey color scheme to honor the Denver Broncos’ Super Bowl win.

We also decided to ask members of our team to lead nightly discussions. This choice generated some amazing interactions – and a bit of conflict. More about that later.

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I asked each discussion leader to provide a topic and a list of questions. For night one, the topic was Community. Among the questions:

If you’re riding a tandem bike with Jesus, who rides up front and who is the stoker?

On a tandem bike, the front rider steers and is responsible for safety and guidance. Essentially, the front rider is in control.

The back rider, or stoker, has no control. Their job is to follow (and pedal).

Often, the stoker can’t even see the path. Turns and stops frequently occur without explanation. To relax and appreciate the ride requires an extreme degree of trust.

It’s an obvious metaphor. You and I know the correct answer, right?

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On that evening, in the safety of a community working and sacrificing toward a common purpose, teammates opened their hearts. One simple question revealed the turmoil of folks who also knew “the right answer” but struggled with fear.

People who’d trusted and been run into the ditch a few times. People who’d watched loved ones beaten up – literally and figuratively – by others they trusted.

When that happens, you desperately want to control your own bike. Climbing onto the back seat of a tandem, trusting the path to someone else, is about the most frightening thing you can imagine.           

Even when you know it’s the right answer.

To be continued…