Our church had a Summer Picnic Sunday. It was at a church camp about 20 miles from our home. Last year I rode my bicycle out there with a friend. This year my son wanted to try it. I was a little reluctant, as he has never ridden anywhere near that distance in the past, does not have a road bike, and it was about 90 degrees. For an experienced rider, a twenty mile ride is no big deal. For a 14 year old kid who has never done anything like that before, on an unfamiliar bike . . . I wasn't sure. It could be dangerous. It could be frustrating. He would almost certainly slow me down. But, he wanted to go. So . . . I borrowed a buddy's bike, adjusted my bike to fit my son, and off we went.
Everything was going pretty well until the bike I was on blew a tire at mile 8. Not really a big deal, as I had a spare tube. We replaced the tube, aired it up, took off, and had another blowout at mile 8.1. More like mile 8.05. It was hot. I was frustrated. I wanted to just call in the cavalry and have someone come pick us up. But then a verse from the Bible came to my mind.
I Corinthians 10:31 So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Could a bike ride glorify God?
Did it really matter if we rode our bikes to the church picnic? No. Did it matter how I responded to adversity, and how my son saw me react? Oh most certainly yes, it did. I wanted to rant and rave, throw things, give up. I wanted air conditioning and a seat bigger than my shoe under my out of shape butt. I did not want to change another tire just to have it go flat also. I wanted . . .
But that verse . . . Whatever you do. Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God. I don't know if God cared if I got back on that bike or not, but I do believe God cared how I responded to adversity. Giving up when life gets hard does not glorify God. Teaching my son to just take the easy way out was not going to glorify God. Certainly throwing a tantrum along the roadside was not going to bring glory to the Almighty. For me, at that moment, glorifying God meant working through the trials and continuing on. So we prayed. We fixed the tire and started riding again. 12 miles later, we arrived at our destination.
Was God glorified? I think so. Not because I took a bike ride, but because we persevered. Not because of me, but because His Spirit brought that verse to my mind. Whatever you do . . .
We will have adversity.
On a bike adversity means hills and headwinds, traffic and loose gravel, flat tires and equipment failure. A good ride when everything goes well is hard work. A bad ride when things go wrong takes more than physical conditioning. You have to be willing to work through the trials. You have to persevere and do whatever it takes to reach your destination. You have to want it, and not let anything stop you from achieving your goal.
In our Christian walk adversity may mean financial trouble, family problems, a difficult work environment, or any number of hills, headwinds, and flat tires. If we are going to do whatever we do for the glory of God, we cannot let those difficulties stop us. If your marriage is rocky you can give up, or you can glorify God, fix your flat tires, and ride on. If you are struggling with habitual sin you can either just throw your walk with Jesus off to the side of the road and jump in the air conditioned ride of debauchery or you can stay in the saddle and hammer away at the pedals. It is up to you. But remember: Whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.
Whatever you do . . .
Whether it be work, marriage, parenting--whatever you do this week, do it for the glory of God. Be willing to work harder when the ride gets rough. I sum up James 1:2-4 this way: Pain builds character. A few verses later, in verse 12, James says this: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.
When we love God, we want to give Him glory. Glorify God with your life this week not only when your ride is smooth, but especially when it is not. There is a crown of life awaiting us at the end of the road.
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