They’re All Shook Up

Everyone walked away.

Five members of our team were on a training ride last week. A car passed, swerved, over-corrected, then rolled multiple times before slamming into a telephone pole. This all happened within fifty yards of our riders.

Two guys ran to the car, expecting horrific injuries. Amazingly, both folks were able to climb out of the badly damaged car and walk to the side of the road.

When the riders (including my wife) finally got home, they were all a bit shaken. One minute they were whizzing down a pristine country lane, the next they were confronted with a grinding, life-and-death crisis.

Our team works hard to be safe. We ride cautiously, follow traffic rules, and hold each other accountable for safe cycling practices. We try to be courteous and friendly to motorists. Among the members of our team we’ve accumulated tens of thousands of miles of road cycling with only a couple of serious accidents.

But–we share the road with cars and trucks. Last week’s incident reminds us some drivers aren’t as careful, skillful, or attentive as we’d like. We’re a bit more aware of our vulnerability as we train and embark on the tour in three weeks.

People always ask me if I’m afraid of traffic when I ride. My honest answer is NO. While I don’t seek out dangerous situations, I don’t want to live in fear.

I hope our team has that same spirit. We should be cautious and careful, but God doesn’t want us to operate in fear.

I suppose we could stay home, but you don’t follow the dream on the couch. Following Jesus means stepping out of the comfort zone and taking a risk. There’s uncertainty, danger…that’s why it’s called faith.

Take Courage. I AM. Don’t Be Afraid.

Don’t allow your fear to control you, because I AM with you.

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