Lessons from Bicycling Part 2 of 3

Years ago we moved to the house we are in, I thought it would be too much work to ride a bicycle because of the many hills. When my daughter asked for a bicycle it dawned on me that just as problems will bring peace to my heart, if I am willing to serve as the Lord asks, So the hills would allow me to build strength.

I learned problems build strength both in the spiritual realm and in the physical realm.

If you look in the Bible that is what it teaches. Romans 5:3Romans 5:3
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 Not only this, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering works perseverance;

WP-Bible plugin And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance. You will not exalt in tribulation if the purpose of your life is personal peace and affluence. You will exalt, if you want to bring the fight to the enemy.

James 1:2-4James 1:2-4
English: World English Bible - WEB
2 Count it all joy, my brothers The word for “brothers” here and where context allows may also be correctly translated “brothers and sisters” or “siblings.”, when you fall into various temptations, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. ⁴ Let endurance have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

WP-Bible plugin Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect result, so that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Again for those seeking personal peace and affluence this verse makes no sense. But we are not of the darkness but of the light when we shine the light of Jesus in a world filled with greed, covetousness and pride etc.

In Matthew 5:3-12Matthew 5:3-12
English: World English Bible - WEB
3 “Blessed are the poor in spirit, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ⁴ Blessed are those who mourn, For they shall be comforted. ⁵ Blessed are the gentle, For they shall inherit the earth. ⁶ Blessed are those who hunger and thirst after righteousness, For they shall be filled. ⁷ Blessed are the merciful, For they shall obtain mercy. ⁸ Blessed are the pure in heart, For they shall see God. ⁹ Blessed are the peacemakers, For they shall be called children of God. ¹⁰ Blessed are those who have been persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the Kingdom of Heaven. ¹¹ “Blessed are you when people reproach you, persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, for my sake. ¹² Rejoice, and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven. For that is how they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

WP-Bible plugin the beatitudes are opposites of those who love the things of the world. But we can’t be both a lover of the world and a lover of God. 1 John 2 We have to make a choice.

So I am learning not to seek personal peace and affluence but to serve God as He leads. I climb hills and use them as a way to build strength. I now attack hills and accept them as a way to become stronger. Without problems I stay weak. I am serving God now in areas that I would not of thought of before. Why? Because I am attacking problems not avoiding them.

To be continued…