It has finally been dry and warm for an extended number of days in southeast Michigan. This brings me, as well as lots of other cyclists of all kinds great joy. We can finally hit the trails without layering up among other things. Yes, it is an exciting time to be a biker.
It is also a little more exciting for me. As I near my fifth year of this health journey, I am lighter and more fit than I have been in quite some time. This means I have some new challenges that I haven’t had to consider in quite some time. Some of those things are relearning body position, and of all things, tire pressures.
As a lot of people know, one of my sayings in life is to “Live the Faith. Ride it Out.” Another is “ride to ride another day.” Both of these mean a lot in terms of my faith and way of thinking. Living the faith is important to me. Riding it out is something we will all have to do in situations, whether we like them or not. Riding to ride another day is about safety and consistency. These two things have defined me slowing down and changing my whole life to both reflect the Lord, and to build healthy patterns.
What does all this have to do with what I am about to share? Everything. What I am about to share is a simple thought that I had after my ride last night. In this ride I found myself sliding out to a halt on some loose dirt in a dusty corner. Fortunately for me, just a little bloody elbow was all that resulted in this.
First thing. Was I riding to ride another day? For the most part I was… BUT… I am considerably lighter, faster, and stronger than I have been in years. Because this is the case, I have to take some time to make adjustments for things I haven’t considered or had to consider for a long time. The spot I went down in was not dangerous at all. As a matter of fact, it can hardly be considered a turn, but it was a loose corner, and accidents happen.
Second thing. This is where I got thinking. Living the faith and riding it out. A little loose corner didn’t do much damage this time, but it has the potential to. Several years ago a loose corner combined with a brake failure caused me to have a severe spiral fracture of my ankle. I also remember a time in BMX racing back in the early 80’s where several friends hit a loose corner and all crashed at a double points race. In the aftermath, two boys ended up having to go to the hospital with some pretty bad injuries including fractured bones and a ruptured spleen.
As a pastor, I get people opening up to me for advice on a large number of topics. Money, friendships, grief, and marriage are all topics I have been asked about over the years. As a person, I have a sense of humor that is pretty broad. Growing up in the 70’s and 80’s some of my humor was formed by Rich Little, Steve Martin, Chevy Chase, Billy Connelly, George Carlin, Eddie Murphy, Richard Prior, Mel Brooks, and the Monty Python group. Needless to say, I laugh at a lot. Sometimes this may send the wrong message. Because of the two things mentioned above, I am pretty approachable. It is what gets me into these conversations where I can encourage people.
But what does all of this have to do with loose corners? Well, I am about to tell you. After I hit this loose corner last night I got to thinking. Despite my jokes about wanting to donate an unused brain to science, I do actually think from time to time. As I was thinking after this corner, I was reminded of a comment that I have never been sure how to take. Comments like “I can’t believe you are a pastor,” can have multiple meanings. One meaning I really want to make sure is not meant moving forward is the meaning that I take loose corners with wreckless abandon and put myself, and possibly others in danger. I am approachable. I do laugh a lot. I also do get put into situations where I talk about tough topics. I have to make sure that I am not sliding out on little loose corners.
Ephesians 4:29-30 says, “Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” This simply means I really have to be careful about what I say. As I mentioned before about being more fit and having to relearn some things about technique and that I have to consider making adjustments for the conditions, I have to do this in all I say. I want to be a blessing to those who I meet. I want to encourage people through their lives. I want to be approachable and I want people to feel comfortable with me. I want all of this because I have been impacted by the Savior and His sacrifice for me. I want people to know the freedom that I have in Christ, because He loved me enough to bring me into relationship with Him, even when I wasn’t worth the effort. What I want is for people to know the goodness of God that leads to repentance. What I don’t want is for people to slide out because I was a little too loose on a corner. All this means that as I mature in life, I will have to retool things was I go along. I will have to consider more the things I say, the humor I share, how I approach certain topics, as I consider what is important to me and how it affects others. Just like I have had to change my approach to my health, and since doing that, I have to change things to continue to be safe and healthy for the long haul, I have to consider things about my words and actions. If I want to be healthy and encourage others to be as well, I have to relearn what loose corners may affect everyone when confronted with them.
