Perspective

Lisa and I just returned from a four day trip to the Smokies. It was a last minute invitation to fill another couple's spot from the church in a mountain cabin deal and it was a blast! It was a new cabin with all of the amenities and creature comforts one needs, perched high in Foot Hill mountains of Tennessee with a beautiful view of the Smokie Mountain range from our private outdoor hot tub. We had warm sunny weather and enjoyed the company of the dear folks we traveled with. NICE!

I try to visit the Smokies at least once each year on my motorcycle. It is one of my favorite places to ride. However this trip I traveled in a comfortable SUV over the rocky mountain tops gazing at the beauty of God's creation holding Lisa's hand rather than the throttle grip of my Kawasaki. I did not feel disappointed in the least. Lisa is the second greatest wonder in my life and truly the love of my life. The only thing that captivates my heart more than Lisa is Jesus Christ.

I am a true cyclist at heart and even though I was not on two wheels this trip I enjoyed the memories of past experiences with good friends and family as we made our way down some of my favorite roads last weekend such as Highway 129, the Tail of the Dragon in Deal's Gap, the Foot Hills Parkway and Cherahola Skyway, just to mention a few. Roads that are beautiful in setting and challenging in nature for a biker. Most leave little to no margin for error and demand one to stay alert and focused all the time while riding.

One of the first things a motorcycle rider learns is this: you go where you look. And it is absolutely true. Focus on a pothole and you hit it; look at the median and you're in it; gaze to long at the mountain vista and you'll kiss a tree or ride over a cliff. That is one of the reasons a rider never looks at the ground while riding - its a bad place to end up! The focus must be on where you are going.

Hebrews reminds us to "fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith" (12:2). As a cyclist I understand this concept well. "You go where you look." Allow Jesus to be the focal point of your life today. You will experience many things this week, some filled with danger other with beauty but do not loose focus with Jesus. Those other things are real and must be experienced but treat them more like a mountain overlook and not the GPS settings for your day.

Heavenly Father, as we begin this new week help us to center our attention on Jesus. The road we will travel will no doubt have twists and turns, danger and excitement, beauty and ashes. May we fully experience it all but maintain our perspective in Jesus. For the greatest wonder of all wonders is that You love us and want to live out our days with us. Both transforming and conforming us into the image and likeness of Jesus Christ. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Thanks for stopping by!
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Adrian