Seek: On the Incline

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope.”

Romans 5:34

Thanks to my sweet husband I now own a road bike after approximately twenty years of not riding anything other than my Peloton or stationary bikes in spin class.  Unsure if the adage “just like riding a bike” would prove to be true, I donned my helmet and set out for a test ride with my husband and oldest son.  Thankfully, I felt comfortable almost right away, even though I truly have no idea what gear I should be in most of the time.

It was quite refreshing to glide down the streets of my neighborhood and onto paved trails lined with ferns and fir trees. Visions of biking to the Saturday morning market, our favorite coffee shop, and the library started to fill my mind as we sped along. I started scheming ways we could bring my youngest along…maybe a trailer hitched to my husband’s bike was in order since that would be much easier than teaching him to keep up without training wheels. I’d need to bring a backpack next time so we can swap out our library books or bring home goods from the market.

My daydreams came to an abrupt halt as we hit our first hill. I quickly realized I was not, in fact, in the right gear and that there was no way I could make it up with the slow pace at which I’d been coasting along. Barely halfway up I resorted to walking my bike up the rest of the hill and panted breathless at the top while my husband turned back and smirked at me.

Not to be outdone, we set off on our way but this time I was ready and focused. I’d keep a strong pace and look ahead to watch for hills ahead. Spotting one, I picked up the pace but caught up to my son too quickly. The path was too narrow for me to pass him and I wanted to remain the “caboose” to keep an eye on him, so yet again I had no choice but to slow down and give up trying to make it up the hill without dismounting.

My first ride on the road in years reminded me of the necessity of endurance. Of working hard to build muscles that don’t get used while I’m standing at my desk staring at spreadsheets all week. Of fixing my eyes on the goal and obstacles that may slow me down. It’s so easy to just coast along, daydreaming about happy times. But we are called for more. When we have strength and endurance, we are better prepared not only to reach our goal but to enjoy the ride to get there.

Our spiritual endurance is the same. If we just coast along, not building our endurance by spending time in God’s word, knowing God’s character, and trusting in His strength instead of ours, we have a long road ahead. But if we prepare the way, if we fix our eyes on His path and the joy He is bringing through it, the journey is so much sweeter.

May you Seek + Sojourn more,

Teddi Jo