Drift

Do you remember Big Wheels?  Imagine a Big Wheel for adults (insert optional electric motor here) and you have what’s commonly called a drift trike.”  Drift trikes, like their big wheel ancestors, have plastic rear tires that are perfect for sliding around on pavement.  Drifting…is when you “control” that sliding motion…hence the name drift trike. 

A controlled slide is a concept that many would find ridiculous.  Most of us would never dream of intentionally causing a car to slide, yet trained drivers actually utilize this skill to improve their ability to control a vehicle. 

When I was learning to drive, my dad took me to a gravel road up in the mountains.  He intentionally taught me how to respond when the back end of my truck began to slide.  To learn this I had to first intentionally “lose” the back half of my truck.  Turning into the slide (correcting) was not the hardest part of the lesson.  The bigger challenge was letting the back of my truck slide in the first place.  Everything in my brain was telling me that I was losing control.  The reality was that my dad was revealing to me a new level of control that would better prepare me for what could happen in the future. 

Letting go is not always neglectful.  If we choose to forfeit control we often find that there is order beyond what we currently know.  Jesus teaches us that the Kingdom of God is an order beyond our own.  Paul reminds us that we must think differently to gain understanding.  

Professional drivers should never be sliding around our highways like they are on a racetrack.  Doing so would be reckless and could hurt others.  Fortunately we have places in our world where it is safe for a driver to practice controlled sliding.  

Those of us who want to grow as disciples of Christ need to actively seek those areas where God is calling us to forfeit control.  We also need “raceways”…the places where we can “practice” with the least amount of recklessness.  These are, or should be, our faith communities.  Safe places to practice our faith so that we will be better prepared to withstand the trials of the world ahead.  

“Nor will people say, ‘Look, here it is!’ or ‘There it is!’ Don’t you see? God’s kingdom is already among you. ””

‭‭Luke‬ ‭17:21‬ ‭CEB‬‬