"For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness..." (Alma 7:19)

A  couple of weeks ago I rode around Bear Lake in Utah on my bike. Alone. It was an insightful ride. There were other riders that I passed along the way and I had no idea how far they had ridden, or if they were even doing the same ride around Bear Lake. Some riders were headed in the opposite direction, perhaps they were going the easy way, or maybe I was. When I see other riders it sure is easy to judge and I definitely have my own perception of other riders; whether it is correct or not, I really don't know. What I do know is that we are all on our own rides and we all have our own path to complete, however long or short. Unfortunately, all too often we compare our paths and think we are suppose to be doing it or not doing it in our own unique way. The challenge sometimes comes with a headwind, or maybe we are blessed with a tailwind, or maybe a shorter ride, or fewer hills to climb. But, one thing to remember is that we can't compare rides because we really have no idea how far people have really ridden.

What does matters, is that we are on our path. And hopefully, we are "in the paths of righteousness" (Alma 7:19). I can't know if someone is in the path of righteousness just by passing someone on a bike going 20 miles an hour, or even 9 miles an hour. What really matters on a ride is that I keep on the right path, and keep pedaling so that I can come to know whose map I am following. Christ's map, for each of us, is perfect. It has the right amount of hills, wind, heat, and all that we need to get where we really want to be. I have taken liberty to change the 23rd Psalm from a riders perspective:

The Lord is our mapmaker; We have all we need for our long ride to stay on the path.
He guides us to ride in beautiful places, and even if the road is bumpy or hilly or really difficult, we will always have enough fresh water to quench our thirst. When the ride seems a bit long, or overwhelming He restores our souls and leads us in the paths of righteousness for His namesake. Yes, though we ride through the valley of the shadow of death, we will fear nothing, not even flat tires, a chain falling off, wrecking, getting lost, or being hit by a car -nothing; because He is with us. "The rod of His priesthood and the staff of His Spirit will always comfort us" (Elder Jeffrey R. Holland). He prepares all the food, and an incredible feast for us, even in the midst of our most difficult rides. He anoints our heads with oil and makes us holy; our water bottles are always full and we never run out. Surely, goodness and mercy shall follow us on our long rides; and we will dwell in the path of the Mapmaker forever. (see Psalm 23).

As I continue to ride I hope I can think this of every one I pass on my ride: "For I perceive that ye are in the paths of righteousness; I perceive the ye are in the path which leads to the kingdom of God; yea, I perceive that ye are making His paths straight" ( Alma 7:19). I hope this perception of others will lead us in our path of righteousness which is to be "willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as a witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death" (Mosiah 18:9). I know His map and His path are perfect for each of us.