Cycling Class….

Thursday mornings are so much fun because I offer a Cycling class at the best gym in the world. Class preparation is pretty basic: show up early and get your bike; wheel it into place; make some adjustments to the seat and handle bars; strap in and get those legs moving. At this point, the lights are on in the studio; some are grumbling about sore, tired bodies; some are wiping the sleep from their eyes; caps are pulled down low; and most people are moving pretty slow.

But, something magical happens at 8:30 when the lights go off and the music cranks up. You can feel the mood of the room shift, heads down and focused, minds shifting to the task at hand, legs finding the cadence of the beat. About thirty minutes in, people are out of the saddle, sweat is pouring and mouths are grunting as we climb that second hill. You can feel the class riding together, catching their second wind, and giving it their best effort. And when that post-aerobic cool down comes and we find our way back to flat road, you can see the look of satisfaction at the determined effort. We conquered yet another mountain, together, victorious!

Each morning poses the same opportunity in life as my Thursday morning Cycling class. All we have to do is show up, drag ourselves out of bed and get ready for the task God has given us for the day. We need to put on the proper gear and wipe that sleep from our eyes. And the ride is so much smoother when we strap in and gear up with the power of His Word, minds in prayer and the shield of His love and protection surrounding us.

Before we know it, we are out of the saddle, pumping hard, surrounded by our fellow Warriors in Christ in this dark world, giving it our best effort because He is worth it. He is worth every ounce of blood, sweat and tears we have to offer because Jesus offered His blood, sweat and tears for us first.

And before we know it, the angel chorus will explode and we will be greeted with the sweetest satisfaction in Him, knowing that we conquered this mountain called life together, victorious.

Ride hard today! And be joyful!

For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time for my departure is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing. 2 Timothy 4:6‭-‬8 NIV