Pedaling Uphill
Since the kids are away at camp, Jairus and I decided to spend the day at Millcreek Park. We hiked, enjoyed nature, and then got our bikes out to ride one of the trails.
Now, before this year, I had not ridden a bike since I was a little girl. Honestly, I didn’t think it was something I would ever do again. But, when we got bikes for the kids, and they wanted to ride to local parks, I was just not able to keep up. So, we got a bike for me too.
At Millcreek we unloaded the bikes, I nervously hopped on, and wobbled over to the head of the trail. For the first 25 feet I was having fun. Then we hit a slight hill.
I peddled as hard as my little legs could go, Jairus, waited patiently and cheered me on as grey haired joggers passed me up. My legs were absolutely on fire. Then shame and embarrassment kicked in. With images of Kermit and Miss Piggy in the classic bike scene from The Great Muppet Caper (only she wasn’t panting and dripping sweat), I finally had to stumble off and push the bike to the top of the hill.
This is relevant, I promise.
On Sunday, Kyle talked about Paul doing four things to strengthen the church. One of those things was to teach them that suffering is an important part of the deepening and growing of our faith. It’s counter cultural, for sure...as most of the way of Jesus is.
But I think James put it best, “When troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (James 1:2-4).
As we face miscommunication, heartbreak, frustration, anger, grief, confusion, conflict, pain, injustice, and persecution we have the opportunity to lean into God’s presence, and the support of our community. We have the opportunity to look within ourselves for the things that God may be wanting to weed out. We have the opportunity to do some active work in our faith.
It is not fun. But it is important. Because Jesus didn’t die for us so we could have temporary ease. He died for us so we could have ETERNAL JOY.
When I reached the top of the hill and caught my breath, I hopped back on my bike to coast for a while...man it was beautiful. It brought back memories of flying down the hill by my childhood home, hair flying behind me, the wind blocking out every sound.
God is merciful, isn’t He?
Every hill we work to pedal up has a glorious coast in store.
In fact, after Jesus prepped his disciples for the agony of life without His physical presence, He encouraged them, “ I have told you all this so that you may have peace in me. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33).
We can trust that the hard moments we are facing will not last forever. This life, with all of it’s painful beauty and brokenness, will not last forever. He will come and set things right. He promised. And even in our most painful moments ... in our doubt ... we can ask Him to help us trust Him more.
In the interest of full disclosure, I have to say ... our bike ride didn’t end with that jubilant moment.
Nope. There was another hill ... aaaaaaaaand more miserable peddling.
Followed by another coast, and then more peddling.
However. I am proud to say that I rode for nearly a mile before we decided it would be a good idea to turn around. And, I was able to peddle a little more of each hill. Next time, I will be able to make it even farther, and may not have to walk my bike at all.
Likewise, every trial I face, my faith gets a little bit stronger. I reach out for help a little bit sooner. I have a little more peace, a little less shame.
I pray the same for you.
-Randi
Randi Banning is married to Jairus, and they live in Cortland with their four children. Randi serves on the Regen Oversight Team and co-leads the Regen Care Team.
