Cycling and Spirituality
I’ve had company for the last 10 days. Old friends from South Carolina and new friends from Pennsylvania and Alabama. I agree wholeheartedly with one of these friends – that home is not a location as much as it is a safety and comfort felt in the presence of individuals with whom you are vulnerable and by whom you are loved. I have been at home for the past 2 weeks – and I never had to go any further than the San Francisco airport to find it.
This morning, as the last batch of friends left, I reveled in the thought that I could finally get back on my bike after not having been out since they showed up 10 days prior. The problem presented itself though that I had gotten lazy and, worst of all, accustomed to the laziness. I struggled to get myself motivated to go for a ride, came up with excuses for not going, and laid down on my bed contemplating my apathy for something I love so much. For those of you who know me, unwillingness to exercise is not a trait I often exhibit.
Can you see where I’m going here?
So I lay on my bed and began to read from Ecclesiastes. The thoughts came to my mind that just as one who loves to exercise can be distracted for a time and then have a hard time regaining their motivation and excitement, so can one who loves God become apathetic and unresponsive, all the while knowing that they want to get back on the “bike” and “ride”. It takes courage and perseverance, even if just for a short time in the beginning, to overcome the tannins of forgetful indifference that breed from our neglect of the things we are passionate about and of which we are in great need.
To those of you who have forgotten or question whether or not it is worth the effort to reignite the heat of pursuit – never forget that it was once worth it to you and the only thing that is likely fueling your hesitancy is not a lack of a perceived fulfillment, but rather a nervousness driven by lack of familiarity. Become reacquainted with the passions you have neglected – get on your bike and ride, talk to your God, get back in the gym, start writing music again, take that yoga class, dance and sing in the presence of your Maker. Let your passions be reignited and fears be silenced.
This morning, as the last batch of friends left, I reveled in the thought that I could finally get back on my bike after not having been out since they showed up 10 days prior. The problem presented itself though that I had gotten lazy and, worst of all, accustomed to the laziness. I struggled to get myself motivated to go for a ride, came up with excuses for not going, and laid down on my bed contemplating my apathy for something I love so much. For those of you who know me, unwillingness to exercise is not a trait I often exhibit.
Can you see where I’m going here?
So I lay on my bed and began to read from Ecclesiastes. The thoughts came to my mind that just as one who loves to exercise can be distracted for a time and then have a hard time regaining their motivation and excitement, so can one who loves God become apathetic and unresponsive, all the while knowing that they want to get back on the “bike” and “ride”. It takes courage and perseverance, even if just for a short time in the beginning, to overcome the tannins of forgetful indifference that breed from our neglect of the things we are passionate about and of which we are in great need.
To those of you who have forgotten or question whether or not it is worth the effort to reignite the heat of pursuit – never forget that it was once worth it to you and the only thing that is likely fueling your hesitancy is not a lack of a perceived fulfillment, but rather a nervousness driven by lack of familiarity. Become reacquainted with the passions you have neglected – get on your bike and ride, talk to your God, get back in the gym, start writing music again, take that yoga class, dance and sing in the presence of your Maker. Let your passions be reignited and fears be silenced.
posted by Carolyn at 11:21 AM
5 Comments:
i like it when you blog. that doesn't mean blog more, just keep blogging substance when you blog.
--david
hey matt...your post helped me out tonight. i just wanted to say thanks.
linda
Cycling and Spirituality: They intersect often for me. God reminds me that my eyes need to be on where I want to go not where I don't want to go when I ride (mt. bike). Often I hear, "Ben, fix your eyes on Jesus. Seek first My kingdom and justice"
My temptation is to look at what I don't want to become. But in doing that I don't necessarily become what I do want to become. What a relationship!
Matt, come visit us in Minneapolis!! Bobby is here..it is a Purdue reunion!!
Get on the bike Matthew. Maybe you can just ride to Minneapolis!
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