Say what?!  Really?!!! Why?

This question has been at the hot topic of my conversations lately.  For our 12 riders , the 300 miles the Lord set before us was anything but ‘a ride in the park’.  Last week we faced the entire gamut of trials over the 5 day course to Key West from Fort Myers.  Rain.  Flat tires.  Gusts of Wind.  However, in the midst of these trials there was great fellowship and we can rest assured that God’s name was made great and youth will be reached in the name of Christ through what we endured for only a short time.

People will ask why!

When you call Jesus your Lord, your life WILL look different.

I praise God that I can answer these questions posed by others with joy of knowing our team rode to “let [the Father's] kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)  After cycling To the Ends of the Earth next to my brothers (and sister) in Christ, I can say that I now understand better what it means to be united with Christ in his sufferings (temporary discomforts) and what it looks like to bear one another’s burdens to fulfill the law of Christ (Galatians 6:2).  God’s love for his children transcends every boundary that we ourselves can create: it transcends  cultures, crosses land divides, and resists all doubt.  It is this same joy that was set before Jesus, that He endured the cross (Heb 12:1-2).

As we rode we had the opportunity to pray for our missionaries in Bulgaria (Gabe and Melissa Hillman) and the youth of Bulgaria.  Each day had a different theme, and each theme matched what we faced that day of cycling.

Day One: Preparedness

As it is written in Isaiah the prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.”

-Mark 1:2-3

 

 

Day Two: Perseverance

Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness.  And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.

- James 1:2-4

 

 

Day Three: Relationships

So the wall was finished on the twenty-fifth day of the month Elul, in fifty- two days.  And when all our enemies heard of it, all the nations around us were afraid and fell greatly in their own esteem, for they perceived that this work had been accomplished with the help of our God

- Nehemiah 6:15-16

 

Day Four: Bearing Fruit

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control; against such things there is no law

- Galatians 5:22-23 

 

 

 

Day Five: Finishing Well

 Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize?  So run that you may obtain it.

- 1 Corinthians 9:24

I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.

- 2 Timothy 4:7

We all must prepare ourselves for what lies ahead and persevere despite the storms of this life.   We are not meant to run (ride) this race alone and as we abide in Christ we bear fruit for the benefit of others.

I thank God for our supporters and sponsors who gave us funds to raise over $7,000 for youth in Bulgaria.  I thank God for his harvest workers, Gabe and Melissa, who are investing their lives for the sake of Christ in the youth of Velingrad.  I thank God for a team of riders who gave selflessly of their time and energy that they may be witnesses of Christ.

Most of us are amateur riders at best but as a whole we accomplished much more than we could have done alone. We each have been given different abilities, talents, and gifts from our Father that benefit the body of Christ.  Each part is essential for the body to work.    ”God has so composed the body that there may be no division in the body, but rather that the members may have the same care for one another.  If one member suffers, all suffer together; if one member is honored, all rejoice together.  NOW YOU ARE THE BODY OF CHRIST AND INDIVIDUALLY MEMBERS OF IT.”- 1 Corinthians 12:24-27