The paparazzi greeted us Monday morning in the hotel parking lot. Actually it was two students reporters from the Florida University TV/radio operation, but it’s sorta fun saying paparazzi.
One guy asked a pretty common question. “Aren’t you worried about the traffic?”
Honestly, I’m not. Becky fusses about traffic. She’s smarter than I am.
I pay attention to traffic, and I’m careful. I avoid it when I can. I even gripe about it. Sometimes we pick up and drive past a particularly bad stretch. But I don’t worry much about it, because it’s out of my control. Any energy I invest in worrying is totally wasted.
This tour involves a certain amount of risk. Traffic. Unfamiliar, sometimes isolated areas where folks aren’t always 100% friendly toward strangers or cyclists. Physical issues and potential complications from a significant spinal cord injury. The safe thing would be to stay home.
The main goal of life is not to arrive at death safely.
Following Jesus isn’t always safe. Americans have created a brand of religion that’s practiced primarily in air-conditioned comfort with plush carpet and padded seats. I’m not sure that’s what He had in mind when He became human and died a servant’s death for us. (Philippians 4:5-8)
In Florida, Becky and I have been to unfamiliar places, visited audiences that frankly feel uncomfortable. These aren’t the home team audiences, the safe church folks who know the lingo and get the heart behind what we’re doing. They’re cynical, skeptical, and guarded because they’ve been hurt.
I’m not trying to make this sound like some heroic, world-saving effort. It’s not—I’m just riding a bike.
I am saying that dream-following, and certainly Jesus-following, can’t have security as first priority. If you wait until the retirement account’s fully funded and there’s no sacrifice involved, you may need to ask where you place your trust.
I’m not interested in unnecessary risk. I’m not here as a thrill-seeker. I get no adrenaline rush when a semi blasts by five feet away at 60 mph.
I also don’t want to over-dramatize things. I believe God’s watching over me, but I also know from painful personal experience that bad stuff happens. Jesus said, “In this world you will have troubles.”
That safe little protective bubble in which we live is an illusion anyway. Mostly it protects us from the joy of serving those who need us.
I’m doing something I love, something I believe in. I’m following my dream, a God-inspired desire to use my gifts and passions to serve others and change the world.
I’m not sure you can do that in your comfort zone. I think it has to cost you something. Sometimes that means accepting risk, taking seriously Jesus’ commend, “Take courage. It is I. Don’t be afraid.”
Am I worried about the traffic?
I’m more worried about always choosing the safe path and never knowing what I might have accomplished.
Your thoughts?
# # #
We got rained out today about 33 miles out of Gainesville. I thought it was a passing shower, so I rode too long and Becky got soaked unloading me. The “passing shower” became a full-fledged rainstorm and lasted until 9 pm.
Looks like that’s the weather for the next few days, so riding might be hit-and-miss. Schools are actually closed in some areas due to local flooding. We’ll do what we can. 843 miles into the tour, time to finish strong.
WHERE’S RICH? |
|
Last 24 Hours |
Last 7 Days |
Please leave a comment here.
