IN "TEAM JESUS"

I LOVE CYCLING!!!

I really don't know how else to say that.

I was introduced to cycling around 3 years ago by one of my close friends. We cycled in Karura Forest and it was my first time on a bike after a really long time and I ended up falling so many times, getting lots of bruises and ending up with a bit of a bruised ego. (I thought cycling was a piece of cake!!)

3 years down the line, I have over 3,000 km of cycling under my belt and I have dreams of doing much more than that. I never dreamt that this would ever be one of my passions but we never know God's plans for us, now do we???

Getting from so many falls, cuts and a bruised ego to over 3,000 km cycled has taken a lot of learning for me, it has taken a lot of commitment and growing... making lots of sacrifices to improve on the saddle and make sure my body can withstand up to 100 km of cycling in a day. I have ended up cycling with quite a few groups of people and those have been my biggest learning moments.

The last group cycle I went for is one of those that God used to grow my faith a lot... This is why... 

I had not cycled with a group for quite a while... mostly because I've been focused on cycling with my wife and helping her get used to cycling on the same road with cars flying by her. (She's doing a really amazing job learning by the way... Hats off!!)

So for quite a while, I had been doing just 30 km max... and I was on my own. So for me to join a group ride after a lengthy time was good for me, at least to measure up to others and gauge how well I was doing (or so I though). The ride was meant to be 30 km and it ended up as 51 km!!!

Let me make the long story short... 51 km of cycling with a bunch of riders who have been training much more than me ended up with me being the last fellow and panting vehemently (does this word even apply here????). 

But at every single point, these bunch of guys encouraged me every single step (pedal) of the way... And I did it!! I've been cycling loads since then, no way I'm going through that again.

One of the things you will realize about life is, just like my cycling escapade, you will never do life on your own, you will never be the guy at the front of the pack always, and times will come when you need a little encouragement... and other times when you need to give a little encouragement to the guy cycling at the back of the pack.

Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Picture this... the life of a Christian is just like your favourite football team (Do you watch football???); the goal is for everyone to emerge victorious, to win the match. Christians are in a match against the evil one and all he stands for (Ref. to Ephesians 6:12).

We are called to surround ourselves with like minded brothers and sisters who will ensure that when we are panting and sweating at the back of the pack, they will stand with us and push us up the hills and challenges of the Christian walk. In the end we count ourselves as victorious because of the team that walked with us and helped us through.

I know of times when I have been alone and I have felt like giving up is the only option left… and just at the very last moment, God brings along a fellow team mate and I get picked up. I have seen Christians who decide they no longer want to be part of the team…

Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. Collosians 3:13-14

Remember this, none of us is perfect… this is a team of imperfect individuals who only want to get through life and live for Christ. We are only reminded to bear with one another as part of the same family. You see, when we love one another despite our weaknesses, love becomes the focus and we no longer see those weaknesses.

Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. 1 Peter 4:8

Every Christian’s desire is to experience the fellowship and warmth of being part of the family of Christ… and that is the very nature God created in us.

Be a member of the team… first because you need it; and secondly, you could just be what another Christian needs.