I recently completed my latest long distance cycle ride – from Newcastle to Edinburgh. The road started easy and flat following the east coast out of Tynemouth, past various castles along the coast – Warkworth, Dunstanbrugh, and Bamburgh, before we took a short detour to Holy island and Lindasfarne. Our third day saw us cross the busy A1 a third time and start the steady climb along the Tweed valley through Melrose and Kelso before we finally reached the mountain bike capital of the country at Innerleithen.
We woke up refreshed – after some of our group sat up to watch a certain football match – ready to face the last day into Edinburgh. This involved a 10 mile hill climb, which I personally was dreading.
However, we all set off at a steady speed, head down and kept pedalling. I even managed to hold a conversation, (for part of the climb,) with another from our group about our various church activities!
I was aware that on the Sunday after my return I was preaching at one of our local churches on Philippians 4 “Rejoice! I will say it again, Rejoice!” We both laughed as I recounted this to my fellow churchgoing cyclist.
Even when struggling uphill, with the focus simply on pedalling one foot after another, with aching muscles, and a rather sweaty forehead, I could rejoice! I knew that I had support from others in the group, encouraging me on the long incline. I could even get “pulled” up the hill by cycling close behind the cyclist in front of me, and I could, in turn, return the favour.
How often in life, does it feel like an uphill struggle? There are times when others will help us, and times when we can help others. Sometimes we simply have to “put our heads down and keep pedalling” with our focus on the goal ahead.
And when we get to the top, we are rewarded with a beautiful view of where we have travelled and what lays before us.
Prayer: Thank you, God, that you are constantly beside us, encouraging us and giving us the strength we need. You may at times give us words of encouragement and at others simply travel quietly beside us. May we never lose sight of you as we strive to reach the summit. Amen