How are you with letting someone else take the wheel? Could you trust them to get you where you need to go? Could you risk a fender bender, a crumpled car, or a bout of whiplash?

Today, this question emerged in my mind as I handed Anthony the keys to the moto. At first I had not regarded the question so seriously, but as I toyed with it in my mind I realized it carries a lot of weight and opportunity to it.

For instance, if there is one thing I’ve learned it’s that it is always good to vacate the comfort zone and dive into a different reality. For growth is only possible in uncomfortable circumstances. Perhaps, for example, you remember the discomfort you experienced last thanksgiving after consuming that last piece of grandma’s irresistibly warm apple pie, despite the fact that you had also just fulfilled your agreement to finish off the mashed potatoes. Now this example is really only to show the reality of growth occurring only in times of discomfort; but I am really referring to the growth of character; things like patience, empathy, and kindness.

The other opportunity this question presents is for “fellow-feeling” (also known as empathy); a time to see what it’s like to be in someone else’s position. Like in this situation I am normally the one to drive Anthony around, but today was a different day. Today, Anthony would drive me around. And I would see how willing I really am to put myself in someone else’s position and give them the wheel (or the handlebars in the case).

This would’ve been his third or fourth time driving with someone on the back so I was an incy bit hesitant, but I figured he’d never improve if he didn’t practice.

So I hopped on as naturally as I could in order to empower him with utmost confidence (and maybe even to assure myself of my own belief in him; for if I showed the list bit of reluctance, doubt, or fear, I might not be here to tell you about it). 

Now the path we lead as we first started going was a little awry as Anthony was getting used to having an unfamiliar weight on the back, but as we prepared to maneuver through the mass of rampant kindergarteners on the playground he was quick to take control.

Once we made it through the playground without any casualties we found the main road and began to pick up speed. It was then I realized the torture I must be putting Anthony through every time we drive. I realized that what little sense of security one can find while riding on the back of a motorbike decreases exponentially when cruising down roads swarming with unlicensed Cambodians. Fortunately, we made it all the way to the bread stand and then to the house without a single incident (though we may have left some of the locals a little traumatized).

As for me, I couldn’t help but feel proud of Anthony. I was not only glad that both myself and the moto were still in one piece, but I was also sympathetic towards Anthony as I realized how he willingly and without complaint gets on the back of the moto and hangs on for dear life as I navigate the roads of Sen Monoroum day after day. Now that’s a trustworthy friend.

So, could I let someone else take control for a while? Well, I guess I can! And I know that as I or anyone makes such decisions of a kind of surrender, they are opening the way for the One who they know really ought to be in the driver’s seat.

Have a safe week 😊

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