By Steve Reeves
There’s something magical about Christmas mornings. There’s an air of excitement with the promise of surprises waiting under the tree. For me, Christmas has always held a special place in my heart, but one particular Christmas morning stands out more than any other. It was the year I was thirteen and I received my first motorcycle: a 1994 Kawasaki KE100.
I’ll never forget the big reveal. The snow had blanketed the ground, adding an extra layer of magic to the morning. My excitement was overwhelming as my father threw open the blinds and I laid eyes on that motorcycle with its bright paint and rugged frame.
Shortly after the big moment, we packed up to head to my grandfather’s house. The good news was that he had four acres of land—perfect for riding. The bad news: Those four acres were covered in snow. Undeterred, I decided to learn to ride anyway.
Riding in the snow turned out to be both difficult and thrilling. The wheels would slide, the bike would struggle for traction, and more often than not, I’d find myself making “snow biker angels.” But there was something exhilarating about it—the challenge of staying upright, the cold wind biting at my cheeks, and the sheer joy of mastering something new.
After hours of “riding” (though it felt more like sledding), I believed myself to be an expert rider! The reality is I was still only “putting” along slowly in first gear. It wasn’t until my father pointed out, “You can’t ride a motorcycle in first gear, it’s not built for that. Besides, you’re missing out!”
Discovering second gear was like unlocking a new world. The bike surged forward, and I felt an entirely new level of freedom. Then came third gear, fourth, fifth … and suddenly, I was actually riding! It wasn’t that I didn’t know those gears existed. I did. But I had never experienced them because I was stuck in my comfort zone, too hesitant to take the next step.
Looking back, that Christmas revealed something deeper than learning to ride a motorcycle. It became a profound metaphor for life and for faith.
Sometimes, as believers, we get stuck in first gear. We become content with where we are, and for whatever reason, we “putt along,” not realizing all that we’re missing out on. We forget that God has empowered us for so much more.
Like a motorcycle, we’re not meant to stay in first gear. We’re meant to go “faster.” Not because of our own strength, but because of his Spirit at work in us as we let him carry us forward.
You’ll never know how far you can go until you decide to pull the clutch, shift up, and let God take you on the ride of a lifetime. Just like that snowy Christmas morning when I discovered the thrill of second gear, stepping out in faith can lead to extraordinary freedom and joy.
Steve Reeves is the Senior Minister of the Spring Hill Church of Christ in Middletown, Ohio, and the president of the board of directors for Celtic Christian Mission.
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