No doubt several people have pictured life with God as a bicycle wheel before, but in a recent quiet time the Spirit revealed a very detailed vision of such a metaphor, so I thought I would share it.
Also, no doubt some of this vision comes from my own personal experiences at a cyclist and triathlete, and also because the Tour de France bicycle race is currently happening. But, the God connection lies in this season of my life that is filled with study, meditation and missional discipleship.
So, picture a bicycle wheel, including tire and rim. At the center of the wheel is the hub, everything is connected to the hub assembly. Hubs are generally made up of three interrelated parts; axle, bearings and the hub housing, (get the trinitarian nature of the hub?) Nothing works without the being connected to the hub – God.
Next, emanating outward from the hub are the spokes. Spokes can be made of a variety of materials and come in various arrangements, sound like a little like all of us?? The spokes are connected to the hub, then run out to the rim assembly; rim (again various materials), and tire. The vision of the spokes given to me is one of various sized groups, smaller and more intimate near the hub, larger and less intimate (although always in relationship) as the spoke extends out to the rim and tire.
Now along these “spokes” (Kingdom speaking and in 3DM [www.weare3dm.com] terms) lie first “huddles”; small groups of leaders discipling one another. Beyond the huddles on the spokes are “missional communities”, larger groups where these leaders facilitate Kingdom Life with others, and where there is a shared “mission”, a caring connection with the world. These missional communities connect wherever and whenever they can with a variety of communities (note: these are not usually Christian communities, in fact, almost never are.) This is where “the rubber meets the road” so to speak! This is where disciples are “in the world, but not of it”, being Jesus, modeling Jesus, with Grace and sensitivity.
You might have already seen the “circle” connection of the tire and rim, but if not, notice how all the communities are connected around the outer circle. That represents the Body of Christ in the world, coming from a lot of different places, but connected to One Lord and One God . . . THE HUB!
I love this metaphor/picture, and it reminds me of the depth and interconnectedness of the Kingdom Life, following Jesus as He commanded, and as He leads through the Holy Spirit. As I often remind myself and others, this is “here and now” life, the “abundant life” Christ promised. It is partnering with God in “making all things new” now, beginning to live our eternal lives now. Yes, there is a lot of violence and destruction in our world, both natural and man-made, but we have a choice to be depressed and defeated by it, OR, to realize it’s all “birth pains” of the new creation, new heaven and earth which we are invited to participate with God in bringing about.
Find your place in this season, seek God’s guidance, and trust Him to do exceedingly more than you ever imagined with your life. Surrender and find that ultimate victory and freedom await you!
Only by Grace, pat
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