Riding into the tunnel – setting the pace

So there we were facing the long dark tunnel. (Did you see the photo of it in the previous post?)

There were no lights in this tunnel. The only light came from the one attached to the bike. The ride through the tunnel was on packed dirt with loose gravel on top. (Remember what I said about my childhood experience with loose gravel?)

Inside the tunnel            

This was a recipe for disaster. And the path was flanked by gutters full of rushing water while moisture dripped down from the roof of the tunnel. And there were puddles, (or potholes as I experienced them), ready to knock me off my bike, unless I rode around them, but maneuvering around them added to the wobble. (My husband told me later he could tell I was struggling because my bike light was swerving all over the place).

So all I knew about this tunnel was that it was long and dark and the ground I was riding on felt unstable. As much as I tried to hold steady, my bike kept meandering toward the gutter. (Later I would find out that was because the path sloped on both sides to help the water drain down toward the gutters, which was certainly practical and helpful for the gutters, but not for me).

Other riders

Added to all those unhelpful factors was all the other riders in the tunnel. Some were headed in the same direction as me. I was going slower, (which I later figured out actually made the ride harder). But the lights from the other bikes also illuminated the path, making it easier to see than going it alone.

Entering the Bible

Ever look at the Bible and feel like you’re staring into a long dark tunnel? Ok, so maybe there’s a little light at the beginning of Genesis, after all, God did create light in chapter 1 verse 3. (Genesis 1:3)

But not long after it can start to feel murky and convoluted.  Especially if we go it alone.

But we’re not alone on this journey.

Start anywhere

And with the Bible, as with the path, you can start anywhere. Sure, it may feel more logical to start in some places than others, but remember, the point of reading the Bible isn’t about figuring it all out the first time we read something.

Setting the pace

Sometimes reading a section quickly helps with the understanding of it and makes the journey through a chapter or story a little smoother than plodding over each verse.

It’s fun to go back over verses slowly to catch the nuance of what’s in them and the meaning behind the words, but it really is ok to do a fast skim or read through the first time.

As with the bike ride, slower was actually harder. Once I got the hang of riding, it was easier to stay upright going faster.

So find the pace that suits you and read on.