As a family, this summer was designated as the summer to learn how to ride bikes without training wheels. Anyone that has ever taught someone else to ride a bike (especially a child) knows that this is a daunting task indeed. Even before it begins you know that it’s going to take a lot of patience and persistence on your part to have to deal with all of the frustration and anger that comes from the one learning to ride. This experience was no different for us.

The first few weeks of attempts left us with a lot of crying, and a lot of “I'LL NEVER LEARN HOW TO DO THIS!” kind of talk. But slowly and surely we saw improvements and little things starting to click here and there. Before long, the kids are riding 20-30 feet on their own. They’re making a turn and continuing to ride without tipping over. They start pushing off to get started without you holding on to the back of the seat. Then like a lightbulb, something turns on. A switch is flipped. They get a look in their eye and a smile comes across their face as if to say, “I’VE GOT IT!” They officially become a bike rider.

One of the most amazing things about bike riding is the simple fact that once you learn, you never forget. You can go years without sitting on a bike, but the moment you pick one up again, the muscle memory is there, and you’re off. It doesn't go away...it doesn't fade.

Evangelism is a lot like riding a bike. The first time or two that you attempt to share your faith “without training wheels” you’re a bit wobbly and shaky. You might even wreck and get hurt a bit. But the more patient and persistent you are to keep doing it over and over again, the easier it gets. The Lord never says that sharing our faith is going to be easy, He just plainly commands us to do it (Matt. 16:15). Before long, it clicks, and we get it! Thankfully, it’s also something that we never forget how to do...evangelism will never fade! May God encourage and challenge you today to be more diligent in proclaiming the Good News of Christ Jesus!