A year from today, I will be starting my third bike trip across the North American continent. Next year's ride will see the start in Los Angels, heading to Phoenix up to Colorado Springs, across to Pell Iowa, up to Grand Rapids Michigan over to Sarnia, Toronto Ontario, up to Montreal and then down to new York City. The trip will take 9weeks covering almost 4000 miles. The puepose of the tour is to celebrate what the Christian Reformed Church and the Reformed
Church of America hav in common, to raise awareness of issues surrounding poverty, to raise funds to end the cycle of poverty for individuals, families, communities locally and globallly. As the whole world seems to be affected by the current economic problems, there are greater numbers of poor every day.
This morning in my devotions I am reading One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. This morning I read about an epiphany she had on page 197 using Isaiah 58:10-11 Feed the hungry, and help those in trouble. Then your light will shine out from the darkness, and darkness around you will be as bright as noon. The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring.
Ann’s conclusion: “It’s the fundamental, lavish, radical nature of the upside-down economy of God.”
I also read out of Seeking God’s Face another devotional the following verse from 2 Sam 22:29-30 You, Lord are my lamp. The Lord turns my darkness into light. With your help I can advance against a troop, with my God I can scale a wall.
It struck me as we are planning for Sea to Sea and our focus is on cycling to reduce poverty that these messages are powerful. I do not know where this might take me but as I plan and train for the next ride God's message of this morning is one I do not want to forget in the business of the next year.
I hope as I share this journey with you, you also will be challenged to hear God's call to make a difference where God has placed you and to hear the call of those in need whoever they might be.
Adventures in cycling, volunteer work, and joy in ordinary days. The joy of being in God's presence, feeling His love and grace, and living a life of gratitude and praise. I have been in the bottom of life’s pit. Today I feel blessed and thankful for what God has done for me. I have chosen to seek God's wisdom and direction, and to live a life in service to Jesus Christ. My prayer is that you too will experience joy and adventure on your journey. May we share insights and experiences.
