S-Curve

You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!

Isaiah 26:3 (NLT)

My wife and I enjoy going mountain biking occasionally – as the opportunity arises. We aren’t experts by any stretch of the imagination, but we have fun just the same. I remember the first time we rented bikes in a little town called Sisters, here in Oregon. As we checked out our rental bikes, the employee gave us a bit of advice, since it was our first-time riding. He said, “Look where you want to go, not where you don’t.” That was it. Simple, so I thought.

As we rode on our first trail, I was getting the feel for things and was a much bigger risk-taker than Michelle. As such, when we got to the top of a big hill, she went down it first so that I could go at a much faster rate. Once she was clear, I started my descent. I got going pretty fast, but I was managing it quite well. That is, until there was an s-curve ahead. An s-curve is a curve that weaves itself between two objects. It requires a quick turn to one side, then the other. This particular turn went between a big tree and a giant boulder. As I got closer, I kept staring at the tree. I didn’t want to hit it. But, the more I stared at the tree, the more my bike edged closer and closer to it. Suddenly, I found myself air born, without my bike. While it was giving the tree a hug, I was summersaulting the rest of the way down the hill. It hurt…a lot.

I had ignored the advice of the bike shop employee and stared at the tree because I was afraid I would hit it. Ironically enough, staring at it caused me to do exactly that. Instead, had I l looked at the trail in front of me, I would have navigated the corner just fine – a lesson I still haven’t forgotten.

In our life, it is the same with God. When we start staring at the crazy things in this world –impending doom, or political strife, or a million other things – we become consumed by it. Worry becomes a part of our everyday life. Additionally, when we stare at things that we know aren’t good for us, we are also consumed by the sin that they bring into our soul.

As our verse today says, “You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you.” In other words, keep your sights set on Jesus and let His peace fill your life. Look at His path ahead of you. Focus on Him alone. He’ll take care of the rest.

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