The Bicycle and the BibleSample

The Wheel of Life

Ready:

" . . . and you have been filled by him, who is the head over every ruler and authority." --Colossians 2:10

Set:

In 1818, German-born Karl von Drais invented the forerunner of the modern bicycle - the “dandy horse” or “running machine.” Von Drais’ contraption positioned a rider on top of a rigid frame connecting two wheels that could neither be steered nor stopped. The rider accomplished movement by “running” along the ground while seated on the frame. Only on descent could the clumsy machine be truly ridden. In the mid-1800s, pedals and steering were added to a front-wheel-mounted hub. In 1870, the Penny Farthing (think large front and small rear wheels) was invented. Then, in 1885, John Kemp Starley invented the steerable and stoppable safety bicycle – the bicycle largely in use today, nearly 140 years later. ​

Thus far in our series, we have considered concepts such as returning to basics, living the analyzed life, edifying others, choosing joy, reasons for suffering, and godly teamwork. But how does it all fit together? On Jan 4, 2011, Dr. Helen Roseveare, a retired medical missionary with the World Evangelical Crusade in the Congo, led the Ballymoney Baptist Church Ladies Conference and answered that question. She based her answer on Colossians 2:10 and used a bicycle wheel as the object lesson to define being “complete in Him.”

First, the hub of the wheel is Jesus – our Savior, friend and Lord -- the center of our life. The hub provides power to the wheel; He supplies power to life. Without the hub, the wheel can’t do the job it was designed to do. Without the hub tying its components together, the wheel has no structural integrity – even if the spokes, rim, and tire are present. The wheel without its hub is powerless to resist the forces it will be subjected to. Our life is much the same way. Without Jesus, our life is incomplete -- no structural integrity, no ability to withstand adversity. Our life is designed by Jesus for Jesus to be in the center. When that’s not the case, we cannot reasonably deal with the expected or unexpected.

Roseveare then compares the spokes to believers. God designed people to be in primary fellowship with Him and secondary relationships with each other. We are not created to be alone. Consider the weakness of one single spoke. By itself, it can only perform minimal functions, and most do not align with its intended design. However, a spoke (believer) tied to the hub (Jesus), with a group of properly positioned spokes (believers) creates quite a strong system. That system resists tremendous forces in the bicycle wheel (the believer’s life). When we operate in His will, use the gifts He’s provided, and work with others doing the same, we accomplish His mission.

The bicycle wheel is designed to move. Albert Einstein said, “Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving.” The Christ-centered life is also created for movement. Jesus’ power is transmitted through His people into the world. In the object lesson, the world is analogous to the rim. Jesus creates movement by sending us into all the world, commanding us to share him with all people everywhere.

​​​Go:

1. How can you identify Jesus Christ as hub of your life?
2. How are you in the right place, relating in the right way, working in His divine purpose with believers around you?
3. How are you transmitting the power (sharing His Word) with all whom you meet?

Workout:

Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:8; John 21

Overtime:

Father, I pray for those who have yet to place you as the hub of their lives. I pray they will commit to doing so and pray they will become properly positioned. I pray they will share the love of Christ with others. Thank you for movement from death into life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ryan Wright

Ryan, a Christ follower, husband, father, and grandfather has served as an Area Representative, Area Director and Multi-Area Director in the Carolinas Region of Fellowship of Christian Athletes (FCA) since 2014. He currently serves as the Director of Operations in the Carolinas and the Director of FCA Cycling. You can find him and his wife, Heather, loving and serving Jesus in the Carolinas and cycling the highways and byways.