(Derek, Johnnie, Mike, Jim, Scott, Steve behind the camera)
but those who hope in the Lord
will renew their strength.
They will soar on wings like eagles;
they will run and not grow weary,
they will walk and not be faint.
So we are now three weeks into both my new decade (the 70’s) and my “shall I – shan’t I?” dance with riding a bicycle. The seventies, of course, are inevitable; the biking is still something I still have to decide.
Little by little I have been breaking myself in. This week I skipped just the one day and then, Wednesday and Thursday, did my first seven-mile ride and my first eight-mile. I pushed it pretty hard for the eight, but finished the ride convinced I have been making progress.
Friday morning I agreed to an outing with “the biker gang” and they showed up at Maul-Hall at 8:15 with the intention of getting me all the way to Speed and back, 16 miles total.
Wow, what a beautiful morning. We set out at around 65-degrees and it was 76 when we got back. Not just to Speed, but at speed no less.
I was pleased with how well I maintained pace and it proved to be a really enjoyable ride. We put in a slight scenic detour on the way home and by the time we made it back to Saint Patrick Street we had logged in over 19 miles.
On eagles’ wings:
I believe what made this more doable was the encouragement from the guys who rode with me. Steve, Scott, Jim, Johnnie and Mike. Not just “doable” but more like eagles’ wings, running – riding – and not growing weary.
This point – this principle – has been a foundational pillar of my approach to teaching and encouraging men over the past several decades. The American “manly men” “go it alone” ethos is not only impractical it is counter to God’s fundamental design and intention.
and the golden retriever –
I could be a Subaru commercial!
We were created for community, for communion both with God and with one-another.
I do not know if I will be a regular or serious participant in some of these insanely demanding bicycle rides – but I do understand that the men I am getting to know and genuinely love here in Tarboro (at church, and in the community) help me to ride on eagles’ wings in many ways.
“You yourselves have seen what I did to Egypt, and how I carried you on eagles’ wings and brought you to myself.” – Exodus 19:4
Tired… and grateful – DEREK