Back in our student days we didn’t have a car, so I got around on my mountain bike. I still love cycling and now that the boys are getting older we are starting to ride together. A few weeks ago Ian and I rode 12 km to a beach. This week we bought Mark a new bike, with gears. He wasn’t keeping up on his brother’s old single-speed bike and we realized we needed to do something to keep him active. Our first ride together was on Saturday and he was amazed how much easier it was. Someday I hope we’ll do a tour somewhere.

I’ve found that some paths are easier than others. While living in Wolfville, I loved to ride the dyke-works. Originally built by the French settlers hundreds of years ago, they still hold back the tide waters and many people love to walk and bike there. They are easy because they are flat and offer beautiful views.

Other paths were tougher. Old logging roads, hills, mud holes, snow and ice made riding difficult. More than once I flew off the bike, usually over the handlebars. One time I landed on my face after hitting some black ice. Jan was away and I had to call her to say that when she saw me I would be bandaged. Another time I sprained both wrists. There is no sympathy when you sprain two, only laughter.

As in cycling, so also in life. Some paths bring great joy and happiness. Others bring crashes, pain and injury. Psalm 16:11 says, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand."*

I love this image of the Christian life as a path or journey. We see it many times in scripture. Jesus said, "I am the way..." (John 14:6). Early Christians were called "followers of The Way" (Acts 9:2).

There is a good path, and there is a bad path. God’s way leads to life. Our way leads to, well..., death. "There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death." (Proverbs 14:12).

I remember one day while I was touring to PEI that I arrived at the Confederation Bridge. I knew bikes were not allowed on the 12km-long bridge, and that there was a free shuttle service. I thought I knew where to go so I ignored all the signs which would have told me to pull into a separate compound located 3km before the bridge. I rode all the way to the base of the bridge, and then discovered to my dismay I had to ride back. It wouldn’t have been a problem except that I had poured all my energy into getting there. I arrived tired, hungry and thirsty, only to find out I was in the wrong place.

When I determine to do things my way and ignore God’s ways, I end up in the wrong place. I find myself where there is no joy, peace or contentment.

God’s way is different. Coming back to Psalm 16:11, "You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand." Our source of life can never be found in going our own way. Rather, it comes from God.

Each day we stand at a fork in the road. One way is God’s way. The other way makes life tougher and robs us (and other people) of joy and peace. Every trial, difficulty and temptation is another fork where we need to choose God’s way.

Let me leave you with this quote from Deuteronomy 30:19-20. "Now choose life, so that you and your children may live and that you may love the Lord your God, listen to his voice, and hold fast to him."