In July, I will be taking on the London to Paris bike ride, and despite it being a Sunday morning, I took advantage of the good weather forecast and headed out with my road bike to clock up 30 miles to build my stamina for the longer distances I needed to achieve.
I am sure some at church this morning would have said - where's Steve? Why hasn't he come to church....what they wouldn't have realised is that I had a wonderful morning of worship from the saddle and pedals of my bike!
I had a whole 2 hours and 9 minutes of praise and thanksgiving, a time of prayer and reflection and a time of song!...admittedly I did get a few funny looks from motorists' at sets of traffic lights as I smiled at them still singing...!
How did I manage to have such a worshipful time, especially on the steep hills - well I chose a route that took me past many places of significance in my life so far, riding past my primary, junior and senior schools, the church where I became a member of the Methodist Church, the woods which I used to play in as a child, the swimming baths I took part in gala events at, churches I have preached at and those I have conducted concerts at, my old scout hut, friend's houses and shops and dare I say, a few pubs I've had a few drinks in!
It is easy to go through each day surrounded by all the difficult news that sometimes absorb our whole being, making us feel insecure, fearful and we can forget the most simple things to say thank you to God for, as we can receive Joy from God each day. I'm not dismissing our difficulties at all, just that God helps us to cope and by putting our trust in him, and giving thanks to him in everything, we can receive his love and find peace.
I was reminded on my ride that God is not contained to a building but everywhere and in every aspect of my life. I was able to give thanks to all those places and people who have impacted on my life, family, church members and ministers, school teachers and Sunday school teachers, swimming coaches, scout leaders and those who give their time to the community, and so many friends, some of which are no longer with us.
All the way along the route I was accompanied by bird song and beautiful blossom on the trees, the smell of freshly cut grass, and I also made friends with a number of green flies and other flying insects that seemed to like landing on my bike jacket!...God's creation all around..
30 miles completed, no tired legs just a joy in my heart. Today I gave thanks. In the words of Psalm 100 "Give thanks to him and praise his name. For the Lord is good and his love endures forever, his faithfulness continues through all generations" (NIV) and from Philippians 4:4 (NIV) "Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: "Rejoice!".
© Stephen Allen May 2023
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