RICH’S RIDE is a community.
I can’t count the number of times Becky has to remind me that everything we do is about relationships. Our vision has always been to create a community that empowers people to trust God, work together as servant leaders, and offer hope to others.
Recently I read an old article about community building. I saved the article because, among other wisdom, the author suggested “every community needs an enemy.” The enemy can be a person, group, or idea, but apparently skilled leaders emphasize the presence of, and danger posed by, the enemy to galvanize their communities.
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I suppose he’s right, and as a community that follows Jesus we certainly have an enemy. And there’s no shortage of Christian leaders who use opposition to circle the wagons of their congregations.
Maybe it’s effective, but I can’t imagine wanting to create a community based on fear and anger. I can’t imagine that’s what Jesus wants, either.
I hope you’ll join the community that’s FRONT RANGE FREEDOM TOUR (June 19-28, 2015–Save the Dates!). We’ll cycle Colorado’s beautiful Front Range to seek social justice. We’ll ride, live, eat, serve, and sacrifice as a community.
But it’s important that we build our community around advocacy, not opposition. I want to be FOR freedom, not against the oppressors. I want to remember that Jesus didn’t talk only about loving the easy-to-love. In fact, He told us to love our enemies.
“But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:44-45a
It’s hard to imagine loving those who enslave people and sell children into prostitution. But that’s exactly what He did. It’s what He asks of us.
Following Jesus, loving your enemies, riding a bike 500 miles–nobody said it was all about being easy.
I don’t want us to be against evil. I want us to be for love.
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