An Uphill Battle



Yesterday, I had a training session at an office in D.C. that was inconveniently located as far as possible from any metro stop.  Not to worry though- I have a handy bike that I keep just for such predicaments so I happily carted said bike onto the metro, rejoicing in how easy my trip would surely be. 

The directions from the nearest metro to the office were simple enough- I only had to ride down one street for about a mile and then make a right and ride a few blocks to my destination.  I figured it would only take about 8 minutes total and I'd be there.  Oh how wrong I was.

First things first- you should know that I am not an avid bike rider.  In fact, besides one ride this past summer, I haven't ridden a bike since I was about 12 years old.  Furthermore, the only riding I've ever done has been on the flattest of land in southeast Louisiana where the biggest hills are composed of fire ants.  Now D.C. is not a place where I expect many hills, but somehow my Google directions just happened to land me on the steepest street I have ever seen.  Wearing jeans and boots (definitely not biking attire) and with only about 20 minutes to spare before training was to begin, I started pedaling.  Embarrassingly enough, I hardly moved.  That's actually a lie.  I did move, but it wasn't forward as I had hoped.  Instead I started rolling backwards towards busy Connecticut Ave.  Eek!  I stood up and tried to throw my entire body weight into pedaling and only then was I somewhat successful in advancing up my very own Everest.  With thighs burning and body struggling, I slowly but surely began the uphill ascent. 

Twenty minutes later I had made hardly any progress, and the street stretched upwards as far as I could see.  I contemplated turning around.  I even got off my bike and walked it for awhile.  Writing this is somewhat embarassing as I realize how wimpy I sound, but at the time I really couldn't see myself ever reaching my destination.  I was already late for my training so what would it matter if I just turned back, coasted breezily downhill to the metro, and went home, treating myself to a yummy snack to reward my valiant efforts? 

I finally pulled to the side of the road, got off my bike, and prayed, "Lord, I can't do this on my own.  Please give me the strength to make it."  And then, with the Lord by my side, I proceeded to push my bike uphill until I reached flatter ground.  I hopped on and rode the last few minutes until I saw that glorious office.  Sweaty, dirty, sore, and very late, I shakily walked inside the building, victorious.      

How often do we get stuck on the mountains (or hills) of life?  Life is not easy, and we all know it.  We go through some tough times, and we may get dirty, we may feel beaten, and we may have to stop and walk when it gets too hard to carry on.  But in the end, we shall be victorious because we have our sovereign Lord, the king of the universe, right there walking with us.  He will never leave nor forsake His children.  He hears our cry for help and He is our strength.  Amen!

 Praise be to the LORD,
       for he has heard my cry for mercy.

 The LORD is my strength and my shield;
       my heart trusts in him, and I am helped.
      

My heart leaps for joy
       and I will give thanks to him in song.

 The LORD is the strength of his people,
       a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

 Save your people and bless your inheritance;
       be their shepherd and carry them forever.

-Psalm 28: 6-9