The Bicycle and the Bibleنموونە

Suffer Well

Ready:

"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and the God of all comfort. He comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any kind of affliction, through the comfort we ourselves receive from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ overflow to us, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings that we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that as you share in the sufferings, so you will also share in the comfort." --2 Corinthians 1:3-7

Set:

Suffering is part of life. As a cyclist, the very sport we love calls us to suffer. Cycling never gets easier; you just get faster. As we ride, tolerance for suffering increases. Simply by riding, results improve – until we plateau and recognize other changes are required (nutrition, hydration, rest, and other off-bicycle lifestyle changes) to continue progress.

At the elite level, suffering takes on an even greater role. When asked about Stage 15 of the 2011 Tour de France, Bob Roll, retired professional cyclist and race commentator said, “I can’t have an opinion on the stage today without mentioning Jens Voigt. There simply aren’t any words to describe the effort he put in today. After crashing twice, the second one hard enough to take any sane person out of the race, he ended up back in front pulling the peloton up the hill. Jensy represents the last of the East German riders who always had a totally different mentality than all the other riders. Suffering at the front of the Tour de France is just so much better than what his life could’ve been. No matter how hard the race gets for them, they never think it’s unfair. Heck, when I was racing I thought everything that went on was unfair!”

I am often asked, “Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?” and “Why is life so unfair?” Both themes are present in Roll’s statement. Both questions – and their answers – are found in the Bible – God’s Truth.

Life is not fair. Jesus Christ invited us further into its unfairness when he invited us to follow Him. He invites us to be uncommon. He said, “If the world hates you, remember that it hated me first” (John 15:18). Through Paul, He called us out of the life we “used to live in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying the devil” (Ephesians 2:2). When we accept His invitation and follow His commands, we are assured the world targets us. It’s predictable; it’s unfair; we suffer. So why follow Jesus if He does not remove our suffering? Because He gives our suffering purpose.

Jesus’ invitation to a relationship with Him is also an invitation to a higher level of relationship with others. When asked to identify the greatest commandment, He responded love Him and each other (Matthew 22:34-40). The Apostle Paul presupposed that and, through the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, penned 2 Corinthians 1:3-7. If we truly love and follow Him, we understand suffering refines our relationship with Him and others. That then compels us to comfort those around us who are suffering. As we live and see God working in our suffering, tolerance increases because reason increases. Results improve until we recognize the need for change in other areas such as Scripture reading, meditation, prayer, and receiving wise counsel from those who have suffered through similar circumstances.

Roll said of Jens Voight that his suffering on the front of a bicycle race was “so much better than what his life could’ve been.” Jesus elevates that. He suffered on the cross, overcame death, and set His followers free. Suffering well with Him is so much better than suffering without Him.

Go:

1. Recall a time when you’ve suffered. As you evaluate that experience, how did Jesus provide you comfort?
2. Do you notice when those around you are suffering? How do you process that? How does it move you?
3. How do you lean into your relationship with Jesus so that you can lean into your relationship with them to provide comfort?

Workout:

Ephesians 2:1-10; Romans 8:18-31; Romans 12:1-2; 2 Corinthians 11-12; Nehemiah 1

Overtime:

Father, we recognize we will suffer in this life. When we are struggling, we pray we can continue to stay close to you to recognize Your purpose in and through it. Then, even while we are suffering, may we ask the question, “What would you have us learn?” Lord, we thank you for being sovereign and in that sovereignty, thank you for your continuing to draw us to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.