"give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus." (1 Thessalonians 5:18 NIV)
couldn't get this verse out of my head today as we rode opposite the winds that carried us 111 miles yesterday. how blessed are we to be biking across america to raise money for a country that desperately needs freshwater? how blessed are we to be alive and physically fit and seeing so much of God's beautiful creation every day? how blessed are we to have reached Montrose safe and sound (and in fairly good time) and welcomed with Christ's love & hospitality by the Burns family in their amazing home nestled among the foothills of the Rocky Mountains?
what's a little headwind compared to all of that? I'd have it no other way, and in fact, to draw a physical analogy from a few bible passages concern our spiritual walk, "persevering" through such headwinds ultimately produces a physical strength that will not disappoint us (for instance, as we climb over the Rockies in the next few days).
check these passages out....
"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything." (James 1:2-4 NIV)
"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us." (Romans 5:1-5 NIV)
I truly believe that God works through his people, and it is clear that His Spirit is active in Joey & Michelle Burns and their beautiful, God-fearing family. They have poured out His love on Mark and I from the time we arrived, and we have been loved on and cared for in ways we can never repay. our own guest room, amazing food, laundry, showers, comfy couches, intense checkers matches, time on the trampoline, Legos - I could not feel more welcomed or more at home.
day off tomorrow in Montrose, and looking forward to some R&R in a sweet house with even sweeter company.
until next time,
may the road rise up to meet you
josh & mark
the lifecycle team
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