Training Wheels
By Doug Bing, Washington Conference president
A fun event played out in my neighborhood recently.
While unloading groceries in my driveway, I was delighted to see a young father walking carefully beside his young daughter. She was riding a small motorcycle. The little engine was idling along. She was fully equipped with all the riding gear. She also had an extra bit of equipment.
Her father had placed training wheels on the small little motorcycle. She clearly was brand new to riding a motorcycle. She was gripping the handlebars as if her life depended on it. The speed she was traveling barely warranted her father even walking at the snail’s pace beside her.
But he was a good father and was coaching her as she road.
Later that same day, while walking to our mailbox, I heard the sounds of a motorcycle again. Only this time, the engine was running much faster than before. I looked up to see the same little girl on the same motorcycle. She had clearly learned how to use the throttle and she was going much faster. Not faster however than her father. He was jogging alongside of her with a large smile on his face as his daughter giggled at her newfound speed.
Yes, the training wheels were still on the bike. She was still learning, and her dad was still there.
Jesus, when he was giving instruction to his disciples that would also resonated down through the ages, said these words in John 14:25,26
These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I have said to you.
As we go through life, we have the comfort of knowing that the Holy Spirit wants to be walking alongside of us as we navigate life. If we are barely moving, He wants to be with us. As life speeds up, He wants to be jogging along. He wants to see us giggle with delight as we learn all about this Christian life. He is our training wheels for this life, and this is something we can always count on if we daily ask Him to walk with us each day.
As you go through this life enjoy the training wheels.
As you go through this life invite and enjoy the Holy Spirit walking, jogging, or racing beside you.