1). Sometimes we can fix it ourselves. (a flat tire)
2). Sometimes we have the ability, we just need the resources (flat tire but forgot a tube or air)
3). Sometimes someone we have neither the ability or resources. (a chain breaks)
4). Sometimes we have to go to the local bike shop to get help because it can’t be fixed on the road. The shop owner has better tools and he does that type of repair all day.
5). Sometimes we have to take it to the maker (manufacturer) in which case the local shop owner will walk you through all the headaches to make sure everything is taken care of.

Our Christian walk is a lot like fixing a bike, if we are smart about it.

1). Sometimes we can pray over the situation ourselves and get through it, because we’ve been there before or it is simple enough.
2). Sometimes we have the ability to pray but don’t physically have the resources to fix it, but a friend or family member does.
3). Sometimes we can’t even see how to pray for it nor do we have the ability to fix it but a group of friends or small group or church family does.
4). Sometimes we just need to spend time in counseling with a local pastor or church elder and they can help guide and pray us through it.
5). Sometimes none of these can fix it and we have to spend time prostrate before our maker and allow him to fix us, and a local pastor or church leader will help walk us through this healing process.

Do you have all of these people in your life? If not, you may want to reevaluate your situation and stance on this thing called the “Christian” walk.

We were never meant to walk through life alone. The same God that saw Adam was alone and deemed it not good, created the church body, where every individual is needed in order for it to function properly.

And if I’m not mistaken, the same thing happens each time: a fellow rider or a passer-by, assuming there is one nearby, stops to ask if they can help, and they do it with all sincerity….they actually want to help. Normally, nowhere in the conversation do they start blaming you for being on the side of the road. They also normally don’t question to find out if you caused the flat or if you were reckless and deserved to be there. They just offer to help.

What if, and here is a novel idea, we reacted the same way with our fellow brothers and sisters in Christ? What if we simply asked how we could help? What if we didn’t ask if they had caused it or if they had brought it on themselves and we just offered to walk through it with them?

You know what, they may be at fault. They may absolutely be reaping what they’ve sown, but so what? Aren’t we allowed to help someone even though it was their own fault. Didn’t God help us, and continue to forgive us, for things that we cause.

We, as believers, can be quick to tear people down instead of building them up. By the time we show up to help we’ve already convicted them of the crime and sentenced them in the court of our own mind.

I don’t know why we are like that but I sure hope I can learn to be better at it. I trust that as I strive to be more Christ-Like that I will at the same time become more compassionate and forgiving and less nosy and holier-than-thou.

Let’s all pray for that before we go to sleep tonight….

And of course that got me to wondering. Was I feeling guilt for not riding or was I missing the feeling and benefits I get from riding? I started remembering the long rides and how great it felt afterwards, like I could eat anything I wanted and not feel bad. I came to the conclusion that I missed the camaraderie of my fellow riders and the joy of sitting on a bike for a couple of hours. I missed sucking down gels like they were M&Ms and drinking water while trying not to lose focus on the wheel 12 inches in front of me. But mainly I just missed doing something that is good for me and that I enjoy.

On the same vibe, God doesn’t guilt us into doing things either. He did not give us the Bible in order for us to be guilted into serving Him or doing the right things. Romans 8:1 says, “Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.”

I’ll have to admit it took me sometime (years) to figure out what I believe it means. What it means is that God does not show us things in our life that are wrong so that we will feel bad and change. He shows us things that are blocking our ability to see Him and His will for our lives. And once we see what those things are, we have the awesome opportunity to fix them or remove them. And once we do, we are that much closer to Him and to what we were created to be. There is no guilt involved.

Have you ever been sitting or standing in church, either during the worship time or when the pastor was teaching, and thought of something in your life that needs to be changed? I sure have. And I’ve come to the realization that those thoughts aren’t guilt, they are a chance for me to correct something before it gets out of hand, so that my life grows and my relationship with my Savior grows.

Those quiet times at church, or anywhere for that matter, are an incredible opportunity for us as believers to communicate with God. If we will simply listen to what He is telling us we can learn some cool things that will make this life easier; because as we remove sin from our lives the line of communication between us and God become that much clearer.

As I started up this long climb my mind kicked into "hill-climbing" mode, which if you are a casual rider like me and ride where there are a lot of hills you know what that means. It means you find a comfortable gear, try to relax and you just pedal. You don’t focus on the size of the hill or the length because it can be intimidating, you just ride little chunks at a time. You try to make it to the next mailbox, then the next pothole, so forth and so on.

Our life as a believer is the same at times. Sometimes we are going “downhill” and all is easy and life seems great — we are thinking God is great. Other times life sucks and we are stuck going “uphill” for what seems like forever –and we think God, where are you?

During those times of “uphill” climbing, when we can’t see the top of the hill or what’s around the corner, we have to focus on the little things, the little victories. During the times when we don’t understand God’s will for our lives, we have to keep doing the little things that we know fit into His plan (praying, reading His Word, being generous with our money, being kind to our neighbors, etc…) There are things that we can focus on as we climb the “hill”. And when we get to the top, we can look back and be amazed at how far He has brought us, even though the climb itself was hard as crap.

The happiest I think I’ve ever been during a ride was at the end of my first "long" ride. It was a two day, 180 mile ride from Columbia, SC to Charleston, SC. I remember crossing the finish line into that High School parking lot, with all of the people standing there, and thinking I am just glad to be through it, I don’t think I could ever do that again. But the funny thing is, since then, I’ve done much harder rides. I can look back at that first long-ride experience with pride not disdain. Not because I broke any land speed records but because I fought hard to finish and didn’t give in. It was extremely difficult but finishing it gave me the confidence to strive for even harder rides.

What we go through in life can either defeat us or give us the confidence, once we’ve fought through it, to strive for even greater things. Pray and let God help you through the tough times, not because he will make them magically disappear, but because, when it is over, He can show you how to use the experience to better yourself and those around you.

Roy Bauer

Normally, if you are third then you have someone in front of you to pull if the leader needs a break and then you can decide whether or not to say there and take a turn or move back further down the line. But, both people in front of her moved out at the same time and the job of pulling was thrust upon here whether she wanted it or not. And by her reaction, she didn’t.

I know the lady who said this and she is a pretty strong rider; so it wasn’t the physical part of pulling that she hated it was the mental, or intangible, part. You see, if a rider is riding behind someone –or a lot of someones—all they have to do is ride and keep from hitting the wheel in front of them. But, when you are leading your responsibilities go up. You now are responsible for making sure everyone is going the right way and for the speed (you don’t want to slow the group down –too much at least). It can be a little daunting, for someone who isn’t used to it, when you look back and there are 50+ people right on your wheel following you.

Alright, now picture this: You are in a small group setting with 10-15 friends from church and everyone is talking and discussing the book that the group is reading and the leader looks at you and says, “Hey, can you lead us in prayer?” OH CRAP!

Or how about this one: Your Sunday School teacher finishes up with the class for the day and then says to the group that she’ll be out for a couple weeks. She then looks at you and says, “Hey, can you lead this group while I’m gone?” OH CRAP!

More than likely it isn’t the Bible knowledge that scares you. It isn’t having to study and prepare that scares you. It is probably the fact that you feel like you’ll have 4 or 5 or 20 people looking at you assuming you have all the answers and that you are there to lead them on this fantastic voyage of perfect and exact knowledge. But the problem is you aren’t perfect and you may even stutter or forget what you are saying or you may say something stupid or wrong. Join the club.

We all know who Moses is right? The always-eloquent, all-knowing, never-doubting, wonderful leader who lead the Israelites into the Promise Land. Read Exodus Chapter 3 and 4 when you get a chance and you’ll find a man just like the rest of us.

Let me set this up for you: Moses is busy tending the sheep when God says to him, “…I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt…” (Exodus 3:1-10) So, we have Moses who, like the cyclist, is just cruising along and all of a sudden BOOM a leadership position is thrust upon him and a decision has to be made. Does he say yes or no? Here is his answer:

1 Moses answered, “What if they do not believe me or listen to me… (Exodus 4:1)

¹⁰ Moses said to the LORD, “O Lord, I have never been eloquent, neither in the past nor since you have spoken to your servant. I am slow of speech and tongue.” (Exodus 4:10)

When asked to lead, Moses said he couldn’t because he didn’t feel like the Egyptians would believe him and that he wasn’t confident in his ability to communicate effectively. Isn’t that what scares us when we are asked to step out in a spiritual application –whether it be praying or leading a Bible Study. “What if they don’t believe me?” What if I sound like an idiot and no one understands what I’m saying?” What did God say to Moses after Moses responded that he didn’t feel like he was the right communicator for the job?

“…What about your brother, Aaron the Levite? I know he can speak well. He is already on his way to meet you, and his heart will be glad when he sees you. ¹⁵ You shall speak to him and put words in his mouth; I will help both of you speak and will teach you what to do. (Exodus 4:14-15)

My favorite line is, “He (his brother Aaron) is already on his way to meet you…” How awesome is that. God knew what Moses’ objection was going to be and he had the remedy already in place. Moses was the right man for the job the whole time and God knew what he would need in order to get it done. God never asked Moses to do something he couldn’t handle. WE will never be asked to do something we can’t handle –with God’s help and provision. However, we may not see all of the answers at once. Moses didn’t know his brother was on the way when God asked him to lead the people.

Whatever it is that God is asking you to do, remember he won’t ask you to do it alone. He will always provide the tools you need to get the job done and done right. But, you may have to wait for your “brother” to arrive sometimes. Be patient and trusting of an almighty God.

royb

Well, 2 1/2 years later I’m still riding.

As I began doing longer rides and bigger group rides, two things became very obvious: I had to learn how to ride in a group and how to refuel as I rode. Paul, the bike shop owner, talked with me for a long time, numerous times, and I got the gist of it, but I still felt like something was off. He said I had to learn how to eat on a bike and how to pull (lead) on a bike.

His solution, which was fantastic and Biblical (but he doesn’t know that part) was for me to follow him. He told me to ride with him and when he eats I eat, when he drinks I drink, and when he points out something on the road, I need to take notice and learn to spot it as well.

Paul knew that talking was good but probably not the best way of communicating, so he took time out of his very busy day to literally teach me how to ride a bike properly.

On these rides, and there were a couple, I learned how to signal for a pedestrian, how to tell someone I’m slowing down, how to tell someone I’m passing someone else, how to slow down without out causing a sudden stop for the guy right on my wheel. But he also showed me how often to drink and eat and how to do it efficiently, without losing momentum. I also learned how to draft properly and how far away to be from the tire in front of me, and I learned where to draft (echelon) when the wind is blowing.

Everyone can learn these things in time by riding with groups and picking up little stuff here and there, but Paul wanted me to be the best rider I could be and the best way to do that was to have me follow him and do what he did.

It’s a Biblical Principle

God put Adam and Eve on earth and had a glorious, personal relationship with them, and they sinned. God has been trying to reestablish that relationship ever since. Through Noah, after the flood, then Abraham and then Moses with the commandments, He has given us every chance to be the people He created from the beginning. But we kept turning our backs on God and put how other people see us over our true identity. (i.e. Pharisees and Sadducees)

So, God sent His only son to earth to be the sacrificial lamb, the perfect sacrifice. And in doing so, Jesus lived on earth for 33 years dealing with heartache, abandonment, chastisement, loneliness and loved ones being sick. And through all of that, He taught (showed) us how to handle situations. And if that wasn’t enough, when he went back up to the Father, the Holy Spirit was sent to live inside of us to teach and guide us along the way.

Not only do we have the Bible to tell us what God has for us, we also have a guide that is with us 24/7 showing us as well.

Well, like I said, my bike friend Paul was teaching me a Biblical principle and didn’t even know it. If I will allow God to mold me and shape me into the person He created me to be, I will learn much faster and perhaps skip a lot of mistakes.

If I simply do as what I see Jesus do and act the way Jesus acted, I’ll be fine. And how do I know what Jesus does and how He acted…..read the Bible.

royb

Me: Dude, check this out. I’ve been riding this bike for a couple of years now but haven’t really lost any weight and I’m the same size as before.

Dude: Yeah, me too. I’ve got the same gut I’ve always had.

Me: It doesn’t make sense, but I think it’s because every time I ride, I eat like a horse afterwards. The more I exercise, the more I eat.

Dude: Makes sense to me. After we get done, you want Zesto’s fried chicken or Mexican?

Me: Probably both.

And now that I think about it, I actually did end up at a Mexican restaurant that night eating more food than any one person should be able to hold. And while I’m being honest here, I went to Sandy’s and got ice cream too –but just a little. I felt horrible after eating so much food, but I didn’t have any regrets because of the amount of exercise I just did.

Exercise

On average, from all the information I’ve read and been told, I will burn roughly 600-800 calories and hour by cycling. And that number goes up when it is hot outside, because your body has to work extra hard regulating your body heat. So, Saturday I rode for roughly 3 1/2 hours in 90 degree heat. If I do the math, I burnt roughly 2000-2800 calories, not taking into account the humidity and heat.

Eating

Saturday night, I went to Jalisco Mexican Restaurante. And, for the record, it was excelente. But, again, from what I’ve read and been told, the meal I inhaled had roughly 2000 calories in it.

Mexican Meal that contains Fajitas (1000 calories), Rice (200 calories), Beans & Cheese (250 calories) , Basket of Warm Tortilla Chips (450 calories) = 2000 calories total

My Findings

As you can see, from a nutritional, weight loss perspective, the day was a wash. I basically rode a bike just long enough to burnt off the meal I ate that night. This doesn’t take into account breakfast and lunch. My overall calorie intake was much higher than what I burnt off. Also, the next day I was still hungry. And if I ride a bike for 5 hours or more, I’ll be hungry for even longer.

It is simple, and I was right, the more I exercise the more I eat. The reason I haven’t been losing all that much weight –I have lost some— is because I’ve used my exercising as an excuse to indulge my appetite. I am getting healthier, from the standpoint of endurance and aerobic ability, but my waist size body mass hasn’t gone down much at all.

Now, again, this is my unscientific research that I’ve thrown together, but today I read an article that, unfortunately, backed up my unscientific research.

Read the article here.

Conclusion

I have to stop eating everything I find after I finish exercising. Also, when I do eat, it has to be something other than a 2000+ calorie Mexican meal. If you know my wife, as she is reading this, she is screaming at the top of her lungs, “THIS IS WHAT I’VE BEEN TELLING YOU FOR YEARS!”

But I know I’m not alone. I have friends and/or family members who will eat doughnuts after they finish running or walking on the track. It’s like a reward they give themselves for exercising. But of course, then they wonder why the weight isn’t just falling off.

I was under the impression that if you want to lose weight, or get healthy, just exercise. That was the magic. Unfortunately, for me at least, it isn’t. I have to learn to go against everything my body is telling me and not engorge myself on anything with sugar and transfats in it.

P.S.

While exercising, especially for anything lasting longer than an hour, you and I must make sure we are taking in carbs as we go. The body uses carbs to fuel itself as it goes. Whether you are eating gels or whatever, just be sure that you are refueling as you go or you will get sick and your body will shut down, because it is out of gas.

My rule of thumb when riding (A friend of mine, a bike shop owner and avid cyclist, taught me this) is to drink a bottle of water every hour and eat two-three gels an hour when the temperature is normal. When it is unbearably hot I’ll drink a bottle every 45 minutes and at least 3 gels an hour.

royb

royb

Well, today they re-paved that road and it is no longer the worst part of my ride. Now, when I turn onto Pine Street, I won’t cringe at the thought of climbing that little hill.

And that got me to thinking. It’s the little things sometimes that mean the most. It’s a tiny paved road or the correct height on the seat or having a friend ride with you that you haven’t seen in awhile.

Next time you’re having a rough ride just take a minute and enjoy some of the little things that have happened along the way.

As for the spiritual aspect of this devotion, I’ll let you decide how that affects your relationship with Christ. Leave a comment if you think of something good. I’d love for others to see it.

royb

A couple of weeks ago, I rode from Tryon, NC up to Saluda, NC.  I left from a parking lot near Tryon and rode a few hours up to Saluda and then took the express down –a seven mile fast descent. And, from the time I left the parking lot heading up the mountain, it was at least an hour and half before I saw another person, and it was a fellow cyclist going the other direction. I didn’t know this guy and will never see him again, but for a brief moment, we had something in common: a love of pushing ourselves to exertion and throwing up (I mean, cycling).

More often than not, when you ride somewhere out of the ordinary, you will see very few people; and the ones that you do see, you will feel a strange connection with. During another ride recently, the Tour de Cure here in Columbia, I somehow ended up between groups of riders. I spent nearly two hours riding by myself, which is somewhat daunting on a ride like that because the route usually is unfamiliar to you. But, I remember how relieved I was when I finally came up on some riders at a rest stop.

If you ride at a park or in a busy downtown area where everyone goes, you will more than likely see many, many people along the way. That’s because it is probably an easy, flat ride that is good for every type of rider. When you step out and do something different or harder, like a century or mountain ride, then the number of people you see will be considerably less, and at times, nonexistent.

Our walk with God is much the same way. As we try to follow Him and lead a holy life, we will only occasionally run into someone going the same way. Unfortunately, most people sitting on the pew beside you, or singing in the choir, are living in a comfortable little world that they’ve built, and they try very hard to keep it from getting disturbed. And if that is you, then so be it. But, if you feel like God is calling you to more. To reach more. To say more. To do more. To see more. To be more. Then, as you travel that road, use the people that God sends you as a time of refreshing, an oasis.

It can get lonely on that road sometimes, just remember to keep going. Just over the next hill could be someone to ride with you and be your friend along the way.

royb

Let me give you my opinion on how this happens and then explain what that has to do with the kingdom of God.

When we ride a bike, our bodies build up a comfort level. For instance, right now, I can hop on a bike and ride roughly 50 miles in three hours and not over extend myself. That is my current fitness level. My body has gotten comfortable at that level. If I do 75 miles or try to speed up and do 50 miles in 2 1/2 hours, then I’ll be stretching myself. What happens to riders, and this isn’t an indictment, is that we find a comfort level and then we ride at that level for years. We eat what we want and, as long as we can maintain the same level of energy, we don’t change our behavior.

So, what happens is that you see a new rider get started, lose weight and gain energy and then they just level off for the next few years, never getting any faster or healthier. They are comfortable. That is the reason I see a rider who, today, looks the same and rides the same speed as he did two years ago.

But on the other end of the spectrum, I’ve seen some riders who are in infinitely better shape and much faster today than they were two years ago. What’s the difference? These riders aren’t comfortable just being the same. They push themselves to be faster and stronger. But not only do they push themselves on the bike, they also watch what they eat. Their goal is to be the best rider they can be. They may not become Lance Armstrong, but they want to continually get better, not settling for “complacency”.

What does this have to do with the kingdom of God? I’m glad you asked. In Revelation 3:15-16, John wrote to the church at Laodicea:

¹⁵I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! ¹⁶So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.

We, as Christians, tend to get complacent, comfortable. We get into a comfort zone with life and we never really get any better at handling situations or money or relationships. My guess is, you know Christians who aren’t in any better shape –financially, spiritually, socially, emotionally- today than they were five years ago.

If you read the Bible, those who came in contact with Jesus were never the same. I truly believe it is impossible to spend time with the Son of God and not have your life altered for the better. But, we let ourselves get into a comfortable routine and never realize our fullest potential.

Most of us will never be a famous preacher or evangelist, but that is no excuse for letting ourselves become complacent in our walk with God. We need to keep pushing ourselves to become the best “believer” we can be. It is through this “pushing” that we become a better father, mother, wife, husband, teacher, mechanic, roofing salesman, etc.. As we study and meditate on the word of God He transforms us and molds us into the person we were meant to be.

Wherever you are, spiritually, is not where you were meant to stay. God has an entirely new level for you, but it will take being uncomfortable with the current one.

The next time you ride with a group, look around. Have you maxed out your riding energy level? If not, then maybe you need to push it a little bit. Who knows, in a year, you may be up front pulling the rest of the group behind you.

royb