Tuesday, May 26, 2009

Why Do WE Ride ?

I've been mulling over in my mind what to say about the "results" of our great experience.
It's part of our human nature to want to quantify some kind of results to know whether we have been "successful" or not, and thus justify our expenditure of time and resources. In an event such as this, the effects of our efforts are much more qualitative and the true "results" may not be known for years to come.

So why do we ride? What should I say to people who ask me "How did the ride go? Was it successful? Now why were you doing this?"

I would like to share a few conclusions from my simple mind.

Perhaps from curiosity, cycling draws people in today's world. It's a dynamic, upbeat event. We were able to use that as an entre' to present the Wycliffe opportunity. I think it's more unusual, and therfore more memorable to the people than just another Power Point or speech. Although the team God assembled I think was very well spoken, especially Doug and Ed.

We cyclists were blessed so much more than we could offer by our riding. Just think of all the prayers, the FOOD, the accomodation, the fellowship of beleivers, the scenery, the excercise.

It was good to see firsthand how God is at work in the churches, communities, and people we met. I knew a dear old saint who told me one time, "The hard part's just keeping on keeping on." Praise be to God for those who are salt and light through everyday drudgery and are willing to be keepers of the faith on our home front in the face of ever increasing secularism in the name of "political correctness". Praise for the young people who came out to see us off before school. Praise for the faithful ladies who made white bread tomato sandwiches, Kielbassa and krout stew, spaghetti, and all the other wonderful food. Praise for the opportunity to meet with pastors - and so much more. It renews my faith that we still live in a great country.

Lastly, thanks be to God for the pure joy of cycling. Tooling down a country road in a paceline, seeing Vidalia Onions in the field, horses running, live oaks and moss canopy. As a parent, and I assume as most parents, nothing gives me more pleasure than to see my children having a good time. I believe God our father delights in our joy as well.

The entre'
The fellowship
The blessings
The edfication
The joy

I feel it's proven itself to be a venue Wycliffe can use to connect with the community of faith and assist the realization of the 2025 vision. Most of all, I truly beleive God laid it on our hearts. We were all of one mind and heart in our mission. I pray that God will "enlarge our coasts" and provide the people and resources for the harvest, and let us sow some more seeds in future years.

5 comments:

Doug said...

Ben, thanks for the encouraging summary. You nailed my sentiments exactly. God laid it on our hearts...and we had a blast doing it.

paulmerrill said...

Great job, team! Praise God for what he accomplised through you.

Many blessings as those muscles recover.

D. H. said...

Ditto..! Well said Ben.

:-)

Jon said...
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Jon said...
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