The Bike Ride Home PART II

Last week I shared about some of the revelations I received on the bike path. If you haven’t already, you can read PART I now, matter of fact, I encourage you to so it makes more since ;) and now, we continue right where we left off…

7. Just because the path is straight and laid out for you doesn’t mean it will be smooth sailing

Don’t expect the straight road to be worry free! *sing with me* “Nobody told me, the road would be easy but I don’t

believe he brought me this far to leave me.” So don’t be discouraged when it gets a little tricky or difficult! 

We knew exactly where we were going, what to expect, and how long it would take but that didn’t make it easy. Sometimes it made it worse! Knowing the hills, or long stretches that take more work were coming up was very discouraging at times!

8. You have got to be kidding me with the detours!

You may think you know where you’re going until they set that big, bright orange detour sign out on 

you! You can respond in several ways: sit there and cry, ignore it and keep pedaling, or just go with the flow. Have you ever fussed with God because you were mad about how the route switched up?! Shhhhh, he knows what he is doing. 

Be disobedient to the big signs that something on the journey needs to shift if you want to and you’ll be sure to run into trouble; All because you don’t want to travel off the road of comfort. Sit there and cry—you will make no forward progress and probably get a headache. Keep on pedaling in disobedience and make it to a dead end where you now have to back track or climb up major sand hills to go where you should have went in the first place. Do you really want to drag your big ole beach cruiser/life through sand dunes of death?! Lol Save yourself the time and drama by not rejecting all detours and go with the flow. There are lessons in all of them!

Actually, the detours decreased the time. They had us on the main road, which was a straight shot! No twists, turns, and extra curves. Don’t get me wrong, there were mounds there too. Detours don’t mean smooth sailing, they are just ways to avoid major distractions, traffic, potholes etc. I’d rather have to pump my breaks for a few sand traps then stop, turn around, back track, and start over.

9. Looking back could get you in trouble

Every once in a while I looked back to check on my friend. I wanted to make sure she was still pushing and not too far behind and because the journey got a little lonely with her not by my side like she was on the way up. It seems like I left her and I kind of did. This isn’t a horrible thing, the situation called for it. Let me tell you why I say it like this:

• I know my body and if I would’ve slowed down, it would’ve gave out on me.  Something was urging me to move quickly and not hold back. Sometimes you have to take your initial steps out alone. Those that are meant to go with you will catch up in due time. 

• There were certain points I could no longer look back because it was becoming hazardous to my journey. Sometimes I looked back and hit a sand mound I would have noticed had I been looking at what was ahead of me. 

• If you do look back don’t stop if it’s not completely necessary. Starting back up may not be easy. 

• My friend told me that she worked to keep up with me. Your persistence could be inspiring the other person to keep going. Keep moving, set the pace, stay positive, and show others that it is doable. And pray that they have the endurance to get through in the perfect timing God designed for them. 
  

10. Wait, I can’t see!

Sometimes it gets hard to see where you’re going. Keep pressing anyways, it usually means the end is near. Bike by faith and not by sight! (Or walk, you get what I mean). At one point, the sun had set on us and the fog rolled in, thick enough to affect my breathing a little bit. Couldn’t see much, but every once and a while, a cyclist, one I’m sure had been on the path many times before, would ride by with their bike lights, lighting the path. God will never leave you in the dark. Stay connected to him and to those whose testimonies can assist you and as it gets dim he’ll flash shots of the finish line to empower you and show you you’re still on track.

When I was ready to quit I finally saw them, the lights of the pier steady in the distance. Right when I thought I couldn’t push any longer or see where I was going my destination shined thru the fog and the darkness.

11. No pain, no gain

Dude I was sore for 3days after this ride! It was horrible! I don’t want to relive the pain I felt that first ride lol but we pressed past the pain and made it back in about 1:40mins shaving 20mins off the ride. Awesome for our 1st time (mind you we beast on that time now with far less effort) Count it all joy, trials build perseverance ;)

The road towards progress and success can be long, full of twists and turns, and lonely at times. Remember no matter how dark it may seem, how many hills you have to push up, how many sand traps you have to avoid, God is there the entire way! Acknowledge his presence and search for his light. You can and will make it. Just keep pedaling and you’ll get there. Don’t forget to plan accordingly! Start by spending time with him =)

Blessings, peace, and on towards the pursuit of truth…

Don’t forget to visit the site daily as we keep the discussion going in the 
Daily Devotions section!