The wind was at my back today as I set out for a ride on the trail. With the sun in my face and a bright blue sky above me, my attitude soared with each passing mile. Fall’s splendor surrounded me in gorgeous displays of color. When I made the turn to come home however, the ride became decidedly harder. It seemed like everything conspired against me to keep me from my destination: the wind at my face, fatigue, and a steady rise in the road. I wanted to stop and rest but instead I put my head down, pushed on, and hoped to make it to my house as soon as possible. Then suddenly it happened, I turned onto my street, and I was never happier to see my driveway leading me into my home.
Do you have a battle you are facing? Does it seem like everything is conspiring against you? With God’s help, you CAN get through it. He is going to make a way. From Isaiah 45:2, “I will go before you and level the mountains; I will break down gates of bronze and cut through bars of iron.” Remember, you’re not facing this challenge alone. God says, “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” When the opposition is at its strongest, keep your focus trained on the One who is standing ready to help. “Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord will personally go ahead of you…” (Deuteronomy 31:8) Even with the winds of adversity against you, this problem will not stop you. Just keep following the Light, because it’s leading you straight home.
If I want a picture of steadfastness, I know where to go. The Sentinels who guard the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Washington, D.C. fit the picture. They protect the tomb in every kind of weather-including torrential rains, blizzards, and Washington’s relentlessly hot summers. The Sentinels are completely dedicated to their mission-guarding and ‘watching the back’ of the unknown soldier. The Society of the Honor Guard reports: “It gets cold, it gets hot and the mission continues as it has unbroken since 1937.” Just imagine, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every minute of every day and every minute of every night, standing firm. The Sentinels exemplify Corinthians 4:2, “Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.”
Bosnia, Afghanistan, and Iraq are a few places listed on my friend’s resume. TJ’s a colonel in the United States Army and has also served her country faithfully during Desert Storm and at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. Her resume is littered with impressive honors, strong leadership, and passionate pursuits. There aren’t many challenges that will intimidate a soldier of her standing but one duty still makes her nervous: briefing a general. There’s something about all those stars on his uniform that gives her pause. Even with rigorous research, scrutiny of information, and extensively rehearsing the speech, her heart still races when she approaches the general’s office. So she leans in. Psalm 86:7, “In the day of trouble I call upon you, for you answer me.” Even a strong colonel needs the support of an Almighty God.
“Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No, it’s Superwoman!” This is what I’m sure people are saying about me when I ride on the bike trail. (I have no actual data to support this claim. My moderate speed also indicates people may be thinking I am taking a leisurely bike ride. But you never know…) On the trail, you will see dog walkers, joggers, and a variety of serious to leisurely bikers. Tonight while I was riding I came upon an elderly couple walking slowing and gingerly along the path. As I drew near them I said, “I am passing on your left.” The gentleman immediately grabbed his wife’s hand and stepped between her and my bike. There was something about that instant act of protection that moved me. He didn’t hesitate, and in that perfect moment, the older man became her bodyguard.
When Lake Erie gets waves big enough to surf, look for me in the biggest one. Surfing is fast, exciting, and intense. It takes a lot of practice to become a skilled surfer. You must learn the proper technique of standing, positioning yourself on the board, and finding the right wave. There’s even a correct way to fall! The experts describe in detail how to fall, and give specific instructions about getting back up again. It’s not surprising that in surfing it is predicted that you will fall a few times, and probably many times. But mainly, I like that it’s expected you will get back up.
I recently went on a long train ride in Arizona. We looked at rocky canyons, saguaro cactus, and valleys with slow moving streams. One curve while traversing a canyon took us through a dark, winding tunnel. It was a long one and we couldn’t help but wonder if we’d ever get to the other side. And then we saw a ray of light peeking through the darkness, and as we moved forward it got brighter and brighter, until the light burst through and overtook the darkness. In our lives, we sometimes come across those black tunnels, times when we wonder if we’ll ever be happy again, or free from worry, or from pain and sickness.
Seemingly from out of nowhere, a friend of mine had to take her mother to the hospital with serious health concerns. She was fighting fluid around her lungs, extremely low blood pressure, and a serious life-threatening infection. The family rode a roller coaster for days. There were moments when all hope seemed lost and times when they saw slight improvements. Although the crisis was unexpected, the family ran straight to the only One who could help. Isaiah 41:10 says, “So do not fear, for I am with you, do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” It’s incredible that at this very moment her mom has been moved from the ICU Unit. And thankfully, she plans to be home soon.