Well sticking with the map theme for a moment.  A while back one of the ice breaker questions we got asked surrounding a sermon was when you think of the map to Heaven what type of map do you think of?  Do you think of a roadmap?  Do you think of a treasure map?  Or do you think of something else?

My response was in the "other" category.  I don't think there is a "map" to heaven.  I don't think Jesus is up there watching, saying "Checkpoint one down".  As a matter of fact when I answered the question, I said I thought more of my walk with Jesus as a baby in a stroller with Jesus "driving" me along.  However not too long ago, I heard the following in a message from Chuck Swindoll which I think is more accurate and even a better visual.

       At first I saw God as my observer, my judge, keeping track of the things I did wrong, so as to know whether I merited heaven or hell when I die. He was out there sort of like the President. I recognized His picture when I saw it, but I didn't really know Him.

       But, later when I recognized my Higher Power, it seemed as though life was rather like a bike ride -- on a tandem bike. God was in the back helping me to pedal.

       I don't know just when it was that He suggested we change places, and I agreed, and life has never been the same since.

       When I thought I had control, I also thought I knew the way. I tried to take the shortest distance between two points. But, when I gave Him the lead, I discovered that He knew delightful long cuts, up mountains, and through rocky places, sometimes traveling at breakneck speeds. It was all I could do to hang on! Even when it looked confusing or the wrong direction, He simply said, "PEDAL!"

       I worried and was anxious and I'd ask, "Where are you taking me?" He just laughed, and didn't answer - simply reached back and touched my hand to remind me He is always with me on this ride. So, I started to learn about the spiritual laws of the Universe, and I started to trust Life. What an adventure it has become!

       He took me to people with gifts that I needed, gifts of healing, acceptance and joy. They gave freely of their gifts to me to take on my journey, our journey, God's and mine. And we were off again. Before I knew it God said, "Please give these gifts away, they're extra baggage, too much weight for just us to have them." So I did, to people we met along the way, and I found that the more I gave away the more I received, and still our burden was light.

       It was difficult to trust Him at first, let Him steer my life. I thought He might wreck it. I learned that God knows bike secrets I had no knowledge of! For instance, He knows how to bend around sharp corners, how to jump to clear high rocks, and He just flies through scary passages. So, I've learned to be quiet and grateful, and now sometimes find myself pedalling in the strangest places. Plus, I'm beginning to enjoy the view more, and the cool breeze on my face, with the delightful and constant companionship of my Higher Power.

       And when I'm sure I can't do any more, He just smiles and says, "PEDAL!"