On Christmas Eve my son TJ called to invite me on a bike ride, he promised we’d back before the church service.  It was a perfect day to ride except for the fact I hadn’t been on my bike in awhile, but how could I say no. The ride brought back memories of the days when the kids were younger and we would go riding together. If one of them got tired I would tell them to tuck in behind me and stay in my slipstream to block the wind.  Now many years I tuck in behind their slipstream and let them break the wind for their old man.

Over the last several weeks I’ve been pondering slipstream from a spiritual perspective. With a recent milestone birthday and a few more ailments I’m more aware of my physical and spiritual weakness.  In reality I have always been spiritually weak and powerless over my sin and brokenness. Over the years, I’ve tried in my own strength to ride into the wind, to handle whatever life throws along the way, and even convinced myself I could power through by pumping a little harder. The truth is the winds of adversity inevitably leave me depleted. I simply am unable to make the spiritual ride on my own.

But there is good news! The Gospel message from Christmas to the Cross is that Christ has come and He is the One to tuck us behind His slipstream. We need His help battling sin, Satan’s lies, and the seductions of the world.  And I am so thankful He provides a way to make it to the end of the race!

The author of Hebrews depicts life as an endurance race where we are called to throw off the heavy weight of our sin and take the next steps of the race in the slipstream of Jesus Christ by – “Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith; who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1-2)

There have been plenty of times biking up a mountain and my legs grow weary and don’t think I can pedal anymore, but then I fix my eyes on my son’s back tire-not what is ahead-knowing if I can change my focus and hold on the climb will be easier. Praise God we have a Savior who holds on to us through His powerful work on the cross to destroy the weight of our sin and shame and calls us to focus on Him not our circumstances. When we maintain our focus on Him we realize our Savior is no longer on the cross but reigns victoriously at the right hand of the Father’s throne in Heaven.

What a life can be like when we decide to live in Jesus’ slipstream! Jesus blazed the road ahead of us so that we can live and be seated with Him in the heavenly realm with our loving Father (Ephesians 2:6).  As we start 2026 will you join me in making our focus on Jesus!  We can draft behind His perfection, protection, power, peace, pleasure and His loving presence!  Oh what a glorious ride to live in His slipstream!