As I have mentioned before, biking is my main mode of transportation, especially now that I have my road bike. However, since I got this used bike with it's Aluminum frame and carbon fiber fork, I have realized something. I have an enemy.
The wind.
Living in Traverse City, we get a lot of it coming off the lakeshore. I used to think it was just a slight bother that would slow me down on occasion, but now that my bike is about 12 pounds lighter, I notice the wind severely! It doesn't take much to blow me and my bike all over the path - which doesn't seem to please the other cyclists on the trail...
Most of the time (I use the word "most" extremely generously), the wind is coming from one solid direction. North, South, or West (occasionally East, but rarely). So, most of the time when I ride, the wind is at my face for part of the ride, and pushing me for the other part.
Well, the other day as I was fighting the wind more than normal, I thought to myself "I should just turn around, it would be a whole lot easier." But I banished that thought as soon as it entered my mind. Turn around? No way! I wanted to get to my destination!
Eventually, I couldn't take it anymore. I had to turn back. My legs were getting weaker, my bum was starting to burn, and I could feel my stomach growling - my calories were used up.
You know what happened when I turned back? I was going with the wind. How about that, eh? All of a sudden, instead of fighting the wind, I was working with it! It began to push me in the direction I was going - which I am sure sped me up from 14 mph to about 20!
It was such a relief. My legs began to come back to life and my breath came back. My bum still hurt, but at least I was getting somewhere now!
As I was feeling the wind pushing me along, I thought about how sometimes I do the same thing to God. I am so determined to go my own direction, that I am fighting him constantly. Because I am going against his will, I am wearing myself out - and getting nowhere fast.
But you know what? As soon as turn around and say, "Okay, Lord, I can't fight you anymore. Where am I supposed to be going?" He begins to push me - and you know what?
Life is then like biking with the wind. It's easy, it's fast, and you get somewhere. Why? Because you're no longer fighting him, you're working with him.
It's hard to remember that sometimes, because so often we just want to go our way - and that - for me, at least - seems to not always coincide with His way.
So, take my word for it, if you feel like you're biking against the wind, if you feel like your legs are giving out and your bum is starting to hurt; turn around.
It is a whole lot easier to work with God than against him.
"When people fall down, don’t they get up again?
When they discover they’re on the wrong road, don’t they turn back?
Then why do these people stay on their self-destructive path?
Why do the people of Jerusalem refuse to turn back?
They cling tightly to their lies
and will not turn around."
~ Jeremiah 8:4-5
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