Five years ago I was riding my bike 1500 miles.
One of the most enjoyable aspects of the ride was long hours to think, ponder, and just be alone with God. You know you’re lost in your thoughts when you lose track of which state you’re riding in.
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I wonder if I’m motivated or inspired to do this ride. It’s the sort of question you ask yourself while cranking along on a nondescript backroad that you thought was in Arkansas until you encounter this sign and realize you were still in Missouri.
I’ve known people who chased dreams for all kinds of reasons. Seems like many of them were motivated by external factors—money, attention, approval. Maybe that works, but I think it’s a tough way to pursue a dream. I wonder how much joy comes from the sacrifice involved when the motivation is extrinsic.
Perhaps dreams need to be inspired. The word itself implies breathing, taking in something life-sustaining. Maybe that’s the best way for a dream to come alive.
Leaders inspire. They say, “Here’s where I’m going. It’s really cool. Let’s go together.”
Inspiration is about choosing, deciding on a direction and pursuing it.
Motivation involves pushing from behind. Managers motivate with money or approval or fear. Might be good ways to get folks to do what you want, but I’m not sure they’d be my choice for driving a dream.
This ride isn’t about raising money or talking to groups. Those are awesome side benefits, but they’re not why I’m here. They’re not the reason I’m wandering past cotton fields in Arkansas or Missouri or Tennessee or wherever I am.
This dream is inspired, I believe, by God. It’s a heart thing.
I suspect that’s how it is with most dreams.
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And here we are, five years later. The FREEDOM TOUR happens because God continues to inspire you and me to invite folks to join us on the Journey Of Hope.
The bike ride and the fundraising are awesome side benefits, opportunities to serve together and give back.
But we’re here because we’re inspired to be part of a community. We’re here to be together on a journey of hope.