As I drove down a six-lane highway in a nearby city, I saw a guy on a bicycle waiting to cross the road. He had all the gear — helmet, biking suit, fancy bike — a serious biker. But there was no crosswalk, which would have made crossing safe.

As he stared at the traffic hurrying by him, looking for a break so he could cross, I noticed something.

Directly above him was a very nice biking/walking “bridge,” complete with a cage around it for safety.

Hmmmm . . . I thought. Here he is, an apparently skilled bicyclist, trying to find his own way across this busy highway when just above him is a safe way to cross.

My next thought was — how often am I guilty of that?

I discipline myself to focus on God consistently by talking to him, reading scripture. But before I know it, I’m going my own way, thinking of what I want to do. It reminds me of a toddler saying to her mom, “I do it myself!”

Do you ever do that? What in your life is comparable to the cyclist fighting traffic on his own when his answer lies just above him?

God wants to lead us. That doesn’t mean we won’t encounter challenges along the way, but he will be with us to guide us if we ask him.

“The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way?” (Proverbs 20:24)

“Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.” (Psalm 119:105)

“Many are the plans in a person’s heart, but it is the Lord’s purpose that prevails.” (Proverbs 19:21)

The Lord reminds us, in these scripture verses, that he will be with us and guide us, but he also gives us the choice — every time — to think about our plan.

Or his.

When we lived in Tennessee, I assisted with “children’s church,” which took place during the worship service. We taught the children Bible stories and the importance of having Jesus at the center of their lives.

Easter Sunday was, of course, a very special day. Talking to the children about Jesus’ resurrection was a highlight for me. I’ve always had issues with the Easter Bunny because, for many families, it represents all of Easter. It tends to overshadow the true meaning of Jesus coming back to life and saving us!

As we talked, colored, and made an Easter craft about Jesus, I asked the children how their morning had been. Five-year old Grace was the first to answer. She looked up eagerly from what she was making and said, “The Easter Bun . . . JESUS brought me some new sunglasses this morning!”

I laughed at her enthusiasm and was glad she had caught the point of the lesson and the season.

Jesus.

He so often is put on the back burner, or ignored completely, by our world, even on His own special days. The magnitude of what Jesus has done for us is staggering.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.” (I Peter 1:3, NIV)

During this Easter season, let us enjoy honoring and serving the gift that is ours every day, not just on Easter!