The FREEDOM TOUR is an endless progression of details.
Spreadsheets to track donations. Coding for websites. Jersey designs. Turn-by-turn directions for hundreds of miles of routes.
As warped as it sounds, I enjoy that stuff. I love the challenge of figuring it out, finding a better way, learning new things. And that’s good, because all those details are important.
Sometimes, though, I get lost in the weeds. The new web page or the cool automated reporting system seems like it’s the thing and I forget they’re just the things that support the thing.
I think it happens a lot. We lose sight of the essentials because it’s easier, or safer, or maybe a little more fun to mess with the details.
Jesus got pretty direct with religious leaders about this tendency in the midst of The Seven Woes.
“Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel.”
We fuss with tiny specks while we slowly choke to death.
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The FREEDOM TOUR exists to create a community of people who want to follow Jesus and do something about justice, mercy, and faithfulness. We’re not focused on having the coolest jerseys or the best website or the biggest ride, though those would be great.
What if we do our best and accept that we’ll never get every detail perfect? Then we can work together to make sure we get the big stuff right.
Cyclists swallow their share of bugs. It’s just part of the journey. You and I can deal with a few gnats.
Let’s help each other so we don’t choke on large mammals.