It’s an incredible thing to concoct an impossible vision and then watch it hatch before your eyes.
Saturday morning I felt a bit like a mother goose as I watched the line of cyclists roll away from the Wyoming State Capitol building in Cheyenne. The chicks were leaving the nest of this God-inspired dream. Front Range FREEDOM Tour was underway.
I didn’t ride the initial stretch. Partly I just wanted to observe and take it all in, enjoy the smiles and energy of the early morning riders. That’s tough from my normal place behind everyone else, since I ride slower than my able-bodied teammates. And partly I wanted to make sure I was present for this team photo as we officially entered the state where we’ll spend the next week riding and sharing together.
So Becky and I drove ten miles ahead, unloaded my bike, and cheered like proud parents as the riders streamed in. The initial burst of energy dissipated, stories flowed, and I watched a team begin to form where a group of strangers existed less than twenty-four hours ago.
Our team includes disparate personalities, varying abilities, and a broad range of ages and experiences. These folks came together for widely ranging reasons but with a common purpose. We’re passionate about raising our voices against the evil of human trafficking. That purpose will form the basis for deep relationships forged in the heat and sweat of shared sacrifice.
Most of our team members rode more miles on Saturday than they believed possible and exceeded their previous long rides by wide margins. Hopefully they’ll remember that when they’re tempted to live within the constraints of self-imposed limitations.
Sunday we attended church together, rested, packed, and prepared for the remainder of the journey. We met and talked about how we’re riding bikes but this isn’t a bike ride. It’s an adventure of self-discovery, a lesson in servant leadership learned by serving each other and the people we’ll meet along the route. We talked about how riding best doesn’t always mean riding fastest, about caring for and encouraging each other along the way.
Today we head south from Fort Collins to Boulder. I’m familiar with the roads, but I’m sure this journey of hope will develop in some unexpected manner. I’m confident God has something new to show us as we travel.
I pray we keep our minds and hearts open enough to perceive it.
“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” (Isaiah 43:18-19)
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But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” Matthew 19:26
My thoughts & prayers are with you. Wish I was biking instead of working! Be safe, and stay well, God bless !!
I can only imagine what blessings you are spreading along your path, your efforts are casting eternal results that you may never know about until we are on the other side of the cross. Keep safe and can’t wait to hear the stories. My thoughts and prayers are with you all.
This morning, Monday 24 June, I saw your group biking south on Timberline. I was biking going north on Timberline. Seeing your group prompted me to holler “Blessings” and wave as we passed going opposite directions. Your bike mission will continue to be in my thoughts and prayers this week. And, continued blessings and heavenly protection for all of you.