I asked my husband to change my bike seat out for me. The one that came with my road bike felt like sitting on a brick and in order to preserve the health and longevity of my backside, I decided to make a switch.
I asked him to wait to tighten the seat until we were able to measure it up against me to see if it fight correctly. However, I was busy while he was changing the seat and we never got to measure me for it. When I went downstairs one morning to go for a quick morning ride I realized I had some quick tightening to do. I grab the proper tools, measured things out and tightened that seat right up with no problems. However, I didn’t realize I also had to tighten part of the seat that keeps it from sliding back and forth, because quite honestly, I couldn’t tell, even while sitting on it that it needed tightening.
It wasn’t long into the ride where my lack of preparation came crashing down on me (insert loud, terrifying noise) I thought my seat had fallen off. I was riding confident one second then feeling like my seat had taken a trip down to China. Since my seat was nearly unusable I had to finish the remainder of my ride up, about 90% of the time up off the seat. Now for those of you that ride, staying up off the seat makes things mighty challenging. My nice morning ride had taken a quick turn and become an all out cardio explosion.
At this point I was at the halfway point of my ride, about four miles in. I had to finish, turning back wouldn’t do me any good. I had to keep pushing forward despite the difficulty in front of me. Of course the last 2.5 miles of my ride were filled with a colossal amount of head wind. Not to mention a steep climb that would make any 5th grader get off their bike and walk up that hill. I remember thinking, I just want to get off the bike and walk, but I couldn’t, I had somewhere to be. You might say I was in a race against time. I knew the finish line, but boy, did I have to work hard to get there.
It’s funny how God works. I had been praying He might give me a word to share with the students that morning at FCA, because right before I hopped on my bike the leader texted me to let me know she couldn’t make it that morning. As I rounded my last corner, I knew the end was in sight and the Spirit spoke into me, “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life God has promised for those who love him.”- James 1:12
We all face unexpected trials in life. However, the bible tells us, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, and let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him, endured the cross, scorning its shame.” – Hebrews 12:1-2
It’s far to easy to focus on are less than ideal circumstances. God has given us His Spirit to live by, He’s given us victory in Jesus name, as we persevere. That’s the key, staying focused on the promises of God as we our persevering. Not allowing our emotions to over take us and our circumstances to overcome us. As we persevere we can believe God with a thankful heart. There is joy in the journey, it’s all a matter of perspective.
When I was trudging along on my bike my mind was disheartened with thoughts like, “this stinks, when will this be over, I just want to be home, can I get off the bike now?” There came a point where I had to say out loud to myself, “come on Heather, you can do this!” I had to switch my focus off my circumstances towards fighting for victory. I knew the end was in sight and I could rejoice, that although I was moving at breakneck turtle speeds at certain points I was moving towards that home, nonetheless.
The same is true for the followers of Jesus. We have an eternal reward in heaven, life is hard, but there is greater joy awaiting us with Jesus in heaven. The right perspective, as we persevere, can be the very thing that gets us through the storms of life.
Dear friend, don’t give up, persevere. I know its hard, but greater joy awaits you and there is joy even in the midst of your greatest struggles, as you persevere.
Heather Quiroz 