Throttling Up in Faith

A Dirt Biking Devotional

Ever been a new dirt bike rider in the desert, heart pounding, stuck in a sandy wash or slipping on a rocky climb, feeling like you’re about to stall out? Your instinct is to ease off the throttle and play it safe, but the pros know the trick: when you’re in trouble, twist that throttle harder to power through, not slow down. As a beginner, you learn to trust the lead rider’s advice to keep the group moving. Growing in Christ is like that too. When life’s trail gets tough, you trust Jesus and throttle up in faith, not back off, and you help the rider behind you do the same to stay on the faith path.

Let’s dig into John 15:4-8: “Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing. If you do not remain in me, you are like a branch that is thrown away and withers… This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.” 

Jesus is teaching like a lead rider coaching a newbie stuck in a desert rut. In the desert, when your bike bogs down in sand or stutters on rocks, easing off often buries you deeper. You’ve got to trust the lead rider’s call to throttle up and power through. Jesus, the true Vine, says staying connected to Him—through prayer and His Word—gives you the strength to push forward in faith. When life’s tough, the answer isn’t to shrink back but to lean into Him more, stepping out boldly. And just like you’d shout back to the rider behind you, “Twist it, don’t quit it!” you’re called to help others throttle up in faith, keeping the crew fruitful and together, even when the trail gets gnarly.

What’s this mean for us? As a new dirt bike rider in the desert, you’re focused on not stalling in a sandy wash or wiping out on a rocky climb, eyes locked on the rider ahead, panicking when they zip over a dune. Your gut says slow down, but you trust their advice to throttle up to blast through. In faith, life’s path—job stress, friend drama, or figuring out how to follow Jesus—can feel like a desert trap, tempting you to back off when you’re stuck. You might stumble, like skipping prayer or hesitating to stand for your faith. That’s okay! Trust Jesus, your Vine, to fuel you with strength. Throttle up by praying more, diving into Scripture (like John 15:5), or stepping out boldly for Him. And pause to help someone behind you—a friend, coworker, or family member—throttle up too, maybe by sharing a verse, praying together, or encouraging them to trust God more. You don’t need to be a pro—just point them to Jesus like you’d yell, “More gas, you’ll pass!” 

Ask yourself: Where’s my faith stuck in a desert rut, and how can I throttle up by trusting Jesus more? Who’s behind me that I can help push forward in faith? Jesus is the Vine, fueling you to power through and help others do the same.

Pray: Lord, thanks for being my true Vine, fueling me through every desert rut, even when I’m a shaky newbie. Help me trust You and throttle up in faith, guiding someone behind me to do the same, keeping our crew fruitful. Keep my heart steady and my wheels rolling. Amen. 

Take action: Today, pick one person “behind you” in faith—a friend, coworker, or family member. Help them throttle up, like sharing a verse (try John 15:5), praying together, or encouraging a bold faith step. Write “Trust Christ’s vine, throttle up and shine” and stick it on your bike or backpack. When life’s desert path feels like a bog, trust Jesus to fuel you, and help the next rider power through, keeping the group growing in faith. 

Remember: Trust Christ’s vine, throttle up and shine.