When We Forget What We're Here For

A Bike Club That Lost Its Way

Imagine a group of people who enjoyed bike riding. They formed a bike club so they could enjoy riding together and encourage other people to join. All went well for a while. They rode along the cycle paths, the quiet back streets, the riverside, and bush tracks. They had picnics together. They laughed and talked and made plans together. It was enjoyable to be in the group, and the club grew.

But after a while, some members started saying unkind things about other members.

"Oh, Stacy and Rachel — their bikes are so old. They embarrass us. I wish they'd stay away. And they're so slow. I hope they don't come to the ride next weekend."

"Oh, Jessica and Nathan — they think they're so much more important because they have the newest bikes with the best tires. I hope they fall off and look silly."

"And that Gabby and Daniel — they're so forgetful. They're always ringing up to find out what's on because they forgot again. They never bring everything they need. I feel like giving them the wrong information so they miss out. Maybe they'll get the right idea then."

"And Phillip and Jason — they're such control freaks. Nothing's left to chance. Everything's so planned. Everyone's so organised. I think I'll scream. Not that I'm going to say anything, though."

And so the talk went on. Perhaps they thought they were doing a good thing for the bike club, but the times together became more and more unpleasant. Some people wouldn't ride with other people. Some tried to spoil other people's friendships by saying mean things about them. People stopped coming as often. A lot of newcomers didn't come back. But some newcomers liked gossip, so they happily joined in.

What Happened to the Goals?

What happened to the goals of the bike club — to enjoy riding together and encourage others to join in? They were forgotten, because too many members didn't want to enjoy each other's company and didn't want other people to enjoy them either. The club was sacrificed for a pick-fest. Pick, pick, pick, pick.

Remembering Who We Belong To

Sometimes we need to remember what our goals are — whether they are working for others or just for ourselves. Sometimes it helps to think about what changes would help achieve those goals, or whether the goals themselves need revising.

Throughout history, people forgot how they should live. They lost sight of their goals, and sometimes God sent people to help them find a better way. The stories in the Bible are our stories too, as they remind us to whom we belong and what sort of goals we can have.

May we make space for all kinds of people to be blessed — in our church, our clubs, our schools, wherever we are.

Amen.