Day No Idea – Riding high! (Hebrews)

October 28, 2010 mondayswithmaria

If you have been wondering, “Where in the world is Maria?”, please see Edward’s site at:  thediscipletour.wordpress.com

Now, I press on toward my goal:

My legs burned as we neared the top of a 1/4 mile hill from our campsite on our bikes.  I haven’t been on a bike since our kids were young and could tell immediately that it was going to be struggle for the first few rides.  Once we crested and coasted, I remembered how much fun biking riding can be.  I noticed the scenery and felt the wind tug my hair.  The beautiful foliage and warmth from the sun, which had completely escaped me during the struggle up the hill, was now the highlight of my day! 

Heading back down that 1/4 hill, I was picking up a lot of speed.  First, I felt exhilaration as the wind wrapped around my face and threw my hair up as high the helmet would allow.  Soon, however, a twinge of panic followed as I envisioned myself flying over the handle bars after squeezing too hard on the front brakes.  Which handle controls the front brake and which the back???  How could I forget!  I gently squeezed both slowing myself enough to test the theory that the right handle is for the back brakes.  I decided that speed on a bike is only nice when controlled. 

Pulling into the campsite, I reflected on the ride…painfully hard, gloriously perfect, and scary - with so much more to learn…like, what do I need 18 gears for??  My experience on this bike ride parallels my spiritual journey, in many ways.  When I’m climbing the mountain of crisis, I can miss the beautiful sights and gifts that God has given me in my quest to just get to the top and stop the pain.  The smooth ride is awesome and easy to enjoy but quickly forgotten in the excitement and fear of the ride down the hill.  And, as with my bike, my faith has a lot more gears to master to effectively manage this journey.

Faith must be the constant in our world of ups and downs.  Hebrews 11:1 states that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.”  Hebrews warns believers who have “become dull of hearing” (5:11) not to get distracted from their faith by the trials and frustrations of daily life.  Faith must be nurtured and matured by moving from the “milk” of the Word to “solid food”. (5:13-14)  We must tend to our faith, nurture it, and persevere in it to grow it and share it with others.  Maturity in our faith also us to “step out” of our comfort zone and accomplish the things that God has specifically assigned to us.

Hebrews provides lots of examples of blessings and accomplishments by faith:

• Noah building an ark and sparing his family from death by the flood despite drought conditions
• Sarah having Isaac in her old age leading to the nation God promised
• Abraham provided a sacrifice other than Isaac
• Moses’ mother sending him off down the Nile, saving a leader
• Moses choosing his own people over the luxury of the palace and leading them across the Red Sea on dry land
• Passover (lives of so many saved)
• Israel’s defeat of many, many adversaries
• Daniel from being eaten by lions

Hebrews offers some powerful reminders to strengthen our faith when we are weak.  “Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.” (13:8)  He isn’t going to change His mind about your salvation, give up on you because you’re still a loser-sinner (just a saved one), or not show up when you need him.  Remember, He’s been here, done that, and understands exactly what we are going through.  “Therefore he had to be made like his brothers in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people.  For because he himself has suffered when tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.” (2:18)  

“Let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken…” (Hebrews 12:28)  Hallelujah to that!!

So, turn to Him as you crawl, climb, or bike that hill.  Rejoice in Him as you enjoy the scenery and coast along.  Fear not when the ride gets wild!  He is with you faithfully!!

My prayer today:

Lord, thank you for the beautiful place I’m in and the opportunity to serve you alongside Edward.  Thank you for the people, experiences, and Bible passages that have helped shaped my faith.  Lord, help me to further develop my faith and be a positive influence on my friends, family, and campground neighbors.  Forgive me for times of faithlessness.  Amen

Entry Filed under: Christian living,Faith,Fear

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