“Biking on the road doesn’t seem safe.”
I heard it again yesterday. It wasn’t the first time, and it won’t be the last. If I’ve learned anything doing this crazy thing called RICH’S RIDE it’s that bike touring on roads with cars and trucks isn’t entirely safe.
It would be great if there were dedicated trails everywhere, but there aren’t. So we choose either to stay home or to step beyond safe. There are more important things to seek than safe.
I don’t think that means we need to seek danger. This isn’t about some x-games thrill ride, intentionally courting unnecessary risk. It’s about seeking something more central, more lasting.
“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes?
“But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.” (Matthew 6:25, 33-34)
I have this sense that seeking the kingdom might not be inherently dangerous. But I’m pretty sure it’s not risk-free.
Sometimes I think the church is the most risk-averse place in our entire culture. We hang out behind the walls with people who mostly don’t threaten our convenient little worlds. We seek the part of the kingdom within our comfort zone.
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Becky had a tooth issue last weekend, so she called our dentist at home. He’s not there, because four or five times per year he closes his practice for several days and travels to Ethiopia. He sees dozens of patients per day in primitive conditions using supplies and equipment he provides.
It’s difficult and dirty. For this he leaves his pristine office and highly-trained staff. He loses several weeks’ income from a lucrative practice.
Why? Because he seeks the part of the kingdom that can’t come to his office, can’t pay for his expertise, and doesn’t live in convenient, safe locations.
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Some of the roads aren’t 100% safe. But RICH’S RIDE is what we can do, where we are, with what we have. So we keep going.
Jesus didn’t tell us to seek danger. He did say we didn’t need to allow fear to control us.
“Take courage. I AM. Don’t be afraid.”
That’s guidance for kingdom-seeking.
Let’s not seek safe.
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I cranked only 25 miles yesterday—into a 25 mph wind with gusts to 35. It felt like I was moving backward. Blowing dust actually stopped traffic in places on the Interstate.
I also got attacked. I saw it coming, but no matter which way I veered it came after me. And it was enormous. When the attack ended I had tumbleweed in my socks, my chain, my derailleur, and my helmet.
Thursday a cold front moves through with rain and wind. With 176 miles behind us, looks like a rest day.
Thanks for being part of the journey.
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Tom is becoming inspired more and more everyday to get the old handcycle running so he can start training.