Pretty sweet tid-pit:
On the way down here I have had a BUNCH of time just to think about things: my life, my calling, the future, plans, friends, and family. And no matter what I think about it always comes back to, rather leads to, a life of giving. I’m not afraid of this, I’m actually really excited about it! In fact, God has continued to put my heart on missions and every time it runs through my head, my heart starts racing with excitement and fulfillment although I haven’t even started. Maybe the missions will be in the U.S., maybe in South America, I don’t entirely know, but I don’t need to right now, cuz right now my mission field is my route to NY with my team and the impact our ride has around the world.
So here I am...again on the edge of taking on another epic bike ride for a cause that simply cannot be ignored any longer. Human Trafficking...Modern Slavery...Sexual Trafficking...Labor exploitation...whatever name you want to call it. Oppression and subjugation of another human is wrong...PERIOD. And when it is done in order to make someone a profit it is evil. To look at these young girls forced into sexual servitude at the season of their childhood is staring into the depths of evil and darkness. I am an atypical advocate of all anti slavery issues because I am insulated and removed personally from this hell that modern day slaves live in. I have a comfortable middle aged white guy suburban 2 dog 1 cat life. What in the world could possible motivate me into riding a bicycle...in the heat...about 75 miles a day...on a three inch wide bike seat...for 1800 miles...uncomfortable, hot, tired, and hungry ?? Simple really...two things...one...I have daughters that have been, in much smaller degrees, victims of sexual predators at one time in their lives. So, yeah, it's kind of personal like that. Secondly, and as important...God calls me to this cause in a very loud voice...actually He calls ALL of us. I didn't want you to think I was the only one...Seriously, Jesus was abundantly clear of what our response was to be to those who were oppressed. We are commanded...obligated...expected...to take care of them. We are to give the thirsty water, the hungry food, and the naked clothes. Any question on how basic that is ? Why aren't we doing this ? Why isn't the body of Christ responding in a powerful and unified manner ? That is something we must search our own hearts for the answer and respond. I always remember a line I heard in a promo video for Blood:Water Mission, when one of the members of Jars of Clay says, "Our knowledge now demands our action"...That is the great paradox for me... how can I see and be aware of immense suffering because of human trafficking and yet do nothing. I can't. So, this summer I will do something that I have discovered is a powerful tool to engage people in these issues. I will ride my bike...really far...again. There will be lots of stories shared and people will be, hopefully...excited,,,energized...empowered to see that they can, in fact, do something to shine a light into this darkness. It really is as simple as riding a bike...
So, it's been almost two years ago that I was on the verge of doing something amazing...Weird thing was I didn't have a clue of how amazing it was going to be. I was scared and totally freaked out. I wasn't a "do amazing stuff" guy. I was ordinary and not the one usually picked to be on the team. But God had a very different idea about who I was and His plan for me was pushing me to the edge. I have mentioned many times before I am sure that I would have thought of a million different things to show God how much I loved Him and wanted to serve others...but a bike ride...with a bunch of strangers...across the whole entire country...you're kidding, right ?? No, He wasn't kidding at all. I know many of those riding these epic rides this summer are having the same thoughts about now and maybe even before now. Even though it was two years ago it still is vivid and fresh in my mind each time I am reminded. I am being reminded a lot this year because a lot of the RideWell alumni are going on rides again this summer...including me and my wife. I am excited for all the "better stories" that are getting ready to be written, as Don says. It is a better story when you sacrifice yourself for someone you will probably never meet living in a place you may never go. They are often times in all degrees of bondage and live in a world filled with despair and hardship. I always find it interesting when someone says, "I couldn't do this...". Perhaps they are thinking that, using their own power and abilities, they could not ride a bike 80 or more miles a day. That is thinking in the realm of the natural world and the finite possibilities that cripple and enslave us. But, when you move into the realm of what God can do with your inabilities and weakness things become supernatural as He empowers you in unimaginable ways. I have found that there is more that a physical ability that comes but also an ability to tell an amazing story of the transformation that happens when we love God and love others. God likes to take very ordinary people and place them in strategic situations that will result in Him being glorified. The reason why we love good magic tricks so much is because seemingly impossible things still amaze us. I know there will be lots of seemingly impossible things this summer. I have just stopped trying to figure the trick out. You see, that's where we get ourselves in trouble...trying to figure the trick out. We think we become smarter than the magician and the trick loses it's ability to stun us. This is a dangerous way to look at how God does the unimaginable and unpredictable things in our lives. Those things only happen by living a life of risky faith and stepping out into wherever that faith leads. To do that, it requires bold thought, speech and action. We are called to these adventures for such a time as this. A time where those who live in fear and oppression will be encouraged that someone they don't know or may never meet would step out in faith and do something outrageous to bring hope to their world. Isn't that what it's all about? I think so. At some point you discover, on these adventures, it all changes and becomes not so much about the adventure and the physical challenge. It becomes the realization that I am in perfect alignment with what God has intended for this adventure and purpose is realized. Doing that within the confines of an unlikely collection of fellow sojourners creates a beautiful thing called community. In that community we find our authentic self and as I have said before, we become wrecked for the ordinary...and trust me, that is a very good thing. So, you have been warned...prepare...pray...be expectant and look for God to show up in some really unexpected places...He's waiting.
