The Bicycle and the BibleНамуна

Choose Joy

Ready:

"And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, because we know that affliction produces endurance, endurance produces proven character, and proven character produces hope. This hope will not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." --Romans 5:3-5

Set:

Four hundred miles and four days into the first edition of the Ride to Realtime, the suffering from a torn meniscus in my left knee had been my constant companion. At breakfast, the day’s 114-mile ride directly into a 10-mph sustained headwind offered little hope for relief. What normally is a time of joy-filled mental preparation had degenerated into doubt and stinking thinking.

Two miles in, I notice a tailwind. Strange. Then, the SAG vehicle (a vehicle that follows cyclists on a ride. The operator provides support, carries supplies and provides a ride for those who cannot continue. The operator was my wife, Heather) pulled beside me, passenger window down, “You’re going the wrong way.” Reluctantly, I turned around . . . for a reunion with my other constant companion – the headwind.

Three hours later, pain, wind speed, anger, doubt, and an overall terrible attitude continued to build as I slowly rolled along. The joy in suffering of riding a bicycle wasn’t even on the radar; I was just suffering. I looked up and was surprised to see the support vehicle set up at an unscheduled rest stop. Heather stopped because of the church’s sign across the street that read, “You’ve made it this far.” Yes . . . but this far wasn’t far enough or fast enough or anything enough. Heather said, “Just keep riding. We’re gonna be ok.” That did NOT help. I wanted to be angry. I wanted to pout. Nothing was going as planned. We weren’t going to make the rendezvous with the FCA stakeholders who had planned to host us for dinner. For that matter, we may not even arrive before sunset.

The unwelcome companion of my sour attitude had now officially joined the ride. Then, I rounded a curve and was stunned when I read the road sign: “Entering Jackson County / Central Time Zone.” It was a God-sized smackdown. In that instant, He reminded me He controls everything – wind, pain, and time. He convicted me of my ungrateful attitude. He reminded me an unreasonable, undisciplined, angry, pouting, performance-based mindset is not His design. He reminded me I was not living by the messages I had shared countless times to countless coaches and athletes. He reminded me of a quote from Eric Liddell, an Olympic runner, “No man who really is a man ever cared for the easy task.” God reminded me to focus on the joy we are called to have in Him when we are doing what He’s designed us to do.

A short time later, He provided affirmation as we crossed another channel. The sign posted beside that bridge read “Victory Bridge.” Amazing. God changed my attitude from one of defeat to one of victory and then affirmed it.

Pain, headwind, and suffering continued to be my faithful companions for the next nine days as we completed the remaining 1,100 miles. However, by simply changing my mindset, joy joined the adventure and what a difference it made! We joyfully completed the journey. To this day, as I ride into the winds of life, I strive to remember joy and suffering converge when we choose joy in the suffering. Next time you’re suffering while doing something you truly love, perhaps you, too, can simply remember to choose joy.

Go:

1. When have you had a sour attitude while doing something you love? How did that steal your joy?
2. How has God intervened and shocked you back into reality?
3. How can you use your story to encourage others?

Workout

Genesis 39:1-6; Acts 9:1-31; 16:19-40

Overtime:

Father, thank you for giving us sport. Thank you for giving us the passion to compete. Please give us the situational awareness to see when we are competing with a bad mindset and then give us the strength and courage to change that and focus on the joy of competing in you. For your honor and glory, in Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.