The Preverbal Turning Point: A Lesson from a Motorcycle

As someone who enjoys riding motorcycles, there was a crucial lesson I learned when I was beginning to ride: Look where you want to go, and you will get there. In the crux of the turn, look ahead, past the apex and into the new direction of the turn, and that is where you will end up. Look to the left, to the right, look at the curve itself, and you may find yourself off the path, down on the ground, struggling for control in the trajectory. Rather, look ahead and lean into it!

Needless to say, I think about this as a heavenly principle every time I encounter a transition in the path of life; even if that transition is simply one of perspective.

I recently spoke to a friend of mine who has been struggling with where her life is going and where it has been. I suggested that she was at a turning point in her thought process. “You can keep looking ahead as though things will always be the same as they have been”, I said to her, “and you might find that you have fallen off the cliff and are tumbling down the path of despair. Or, you can fix your eyes on a transition, turning from this current perspective and begin to focus on what is good; focusing on what God is doing and what He has done”.

The turn here is one of thought and focus. Fixing our minds on that which is pleasing, that which is of a good report… and like the motorcycle in the apex, you will be slingshotted into a land where you see and know what is good. Even better, fix your eyes on Him… and you will wind up gazing into is His eyes, with His face shining back upon yours, and the world will witness His glory on your face!

This turn also works in life. If you are going on a route where you feel like you have been trudging ahead into a direction you don’t want to go, turn. But don’t just turn anywhere… turn to Him. Fix your eyes on His loving face and His promises for you. As you focus on His love, His promises, you will be drawn to walk with Him as He leads you to a place where He prospers your soul.

“Finally brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable – if there is any moral excellence and if there is any praise – dwell on these things and the peace of God will be with you”.  Philippians 4:8