The weather was good. I was at bible camp with approximately 30 helpers and 30 young people. The plan was to have a day trip to Millport Island, Scotland, and cycle round the Island, approximately 10 miles.

A few of the younger members were not confident about riding a bike so I offered to look after one young lad who is connected to the Church I attend. We set off in the Mini bus to Largs,  where  the ferry takes you over to Millport. I kept a close watch on my lad, John (not real name) to make sure he was safe at all times. I didn`t want him to come to any harm such as falling overboard from the ferry.

A short bus trip from the ferry brought us into Millport where we hired the bikes. A suitable one was chosen for us. A bike with a small one attached for John to sit on so that he would rely on me for the lead and support. He had peddles to help with the hard work, but I think he preferred to be dragged along and just held on tight.

I began to get to know John as I hadn`t known him before. I sensed his fear as we started off along the road. He began to call out from behind, “Donnie, slow down, you’re  going too fast. Keep out a bit, you’re to near the edge of the road. It`s too bumpy, Can you not take another road?”

Philippians 4:6-7 says, “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” (ESV). Also Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.” (ESV

John just had to hang on and trust me to get him safely to our destination, which we did in due course.

Sometimes we might be wondering about the journey we are on. To fast. To near the edge. To bumpy. Would like a smoother ride. Perhaps we should just take the Lord at His word and trust Him.

John and I arrived safely at the café on the other side of the island. Opportunity for tea, coffee, ice-cream etc. Across the road from the café at the road side, John found a large white stone. He called it a pearl stone. It was about the size of a small football. He said he would like to take it back home. I said that I would put it in my rucksack with all our other stuff. I carried everything to let him be free.

That’s what Jesus did for us: “Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” (Isaiah 53:4 KJV)

When we got back home, I shared with the people in my church my experience with John. I shared that our time together had brought us much closer together. I was with him all the way. Our journey was unique to us. So it is on our journey with Jesus. We share all of life’s moments with Him. He is with us all the way.

He said he will never leave us or forsake us. (See Hebrews 13:5) Our journey with Jesus is unique to us.

I showed the people in the Church the big rucksack I carried and reminded them of the burden Jesus carried when He went to the cross and carried all our sins and took the punishment due to us so we could go free. I showed them the white stone which John found. I read Revelation 2:17b: “To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the hidden manna, and will give him a white stone, and in the stone a new name written, which no man knoweth saving he that receiveth it.” (KJV)

I suggested to John a name I could imagine on his stone could be LOVE.

When our journey on earth with Jesus is over and we meet Him face to face in Heaven, the white stone to those who receive it will have a name known only to them.

Rejoice in the Lord always,

Donnie Black