What do mountain bikers, George of the Jungle, and leaders have in common?
In my last post on February 9, I wrote about how leaders can learn from mountain bikers how to “look down the trail.” Just as important is to keep your eyes on the trail, instead of what’s not on the trail.
Last year on a group ride in Brown County, I was flying through a fast downhill section when I spotted a large tree just off the trail ahead of me. I thought to myself, “That’s a big tree. You don’t want to hit that tree. Better stay to the right of that tree … tree … tree” WHAM! I hit the tree. Fortunately the only thing damaged was my ego. As I dusted myself off and checked out my bike, I noticed plenty of path to the right of the tree. But that tree was like a magnet. I couldn’t steer away from it. Why? It goes back to an old adage:
It’s true for biking, driving a car, dieting, or living a blameless life (see Psalm 101:2-3). It’s as true for me as for George of the Jungle: “Watch out for that tree!”
Mountain bike skills instructor Richard Kelly teaches riders to keep their eyes on the trail, not on features off the trail. “Fixation” occurs, he says, when riders do what I did and focus on a feature off the trail and end up hitting it. In a training video on International Mountain Bike‘s online magazine, Kelly encourages riders, “That tree’s not on the trail, so don’t even look at it! Focus on the trail instead and you’ll flow right past it.” Sounds like Kelly has been reading Proverbs:
The lesson for us as leaders is obvious. There are lots of distractions that will take our eyes and mind off the path and away from the goals we’ve set. As a leader, we need to differentiate what is on the trail and what’s not. If it’s not on the trail, we shouldn’t even look at it, but keep our eyes straight ahead. How do you know what’s on the path? I think it starts with this:
One more thing. Satan will throw up obstacles if you are on the right trail. But they are off the trail! Keep your eyes on the trail–stay focused on Christ and the path he has set out for you.
So, what “trees” are you presently coming up on? Where will you fix your eyes?
