Cycles
I left church early and took a short-cut to get home and ended up taking a back road thinking it would be faster. I soon realized that traffic was backed up and I could see the lights from the police cars ahead. There were two police cars leading the way behind a cyclist in a triathlon who was clearly struggling. He was going very slow and was larger than most cyclists. He could barely pedal and was weaving to the left and to the right in exhaustion. He had a partner beside him encouraging him along, and two police cars behind them with their lights on offering protection from the motorists who were in a hurry to get to their destination.Traffic had almost stopped and some people gave up and made a u-turn not wanting to wait in this snails pace lane of traffic that had at least another mile or so to go. Even though I was in a hurry, I and a few others stayed. I wanted to get closer, and then traffic finally stopped completely. The policeman got out of his car and blocked the oncoming traffic, so that those who had been waiting could go ahead.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is proven. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
As I was driving by I saw the cyclist. He was worn out and collapsed over the handlebars head down face down.
I thought that is like the race with you God. There are some who come alongside us and encourage us. They are patient with us and help lead us to the finish line. Like the police, you are our shield of protection on our journey. What a beautiful picture of the way you lead us to you and lead us to the finish line, especially when we feel inadequate. Just when we think don’t have the training, physique, endurance, or stamina to make it – you equip us. You send people to encourage us and you shield us all the way to the finish line with you.
Lately, I find myself head down face down on the handlebars of life, and on this day I was reminded to keep going. I am not alone.
Isaiah 58:11 The Lord will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail.
Acts 20:24 However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me – the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.
Hebrews 12:1 Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.
Proverbs 30:5 Every word of God is proven. He is a shield to those who take refuge in him.
1 Timothy 4:8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.
