Last weekend I decided to hop on a bicycle after a seven year drought of non-riding.  My ceasing to ride was caused by a freak accident where I actually ran into a car with my bicycle.  I caused the car over $300 in damage.  The cost was a deterrent in my future riding.  After getting sick a couple weeks ago I came back to the office, to find a bicycle in my cubicle.  My co-workers had found me a bike at a garage sale.  I went and got the bike tuned and gear to protect me.  On Saturday I arose early prepared, but forgetting probably the most important thing I could have with me:  water.  A group of Peacemaker staff rode to Molt, MT to the Prairie Winds Café.  Every Saturday morning they serve breakfast while differing bands play blue grass. 

I wasn’t sure how the ride would go, but was thankful for the presence of grace giving sag-wagons.  I struggled with my gears and was thankful for a quick lesson by bicycle guru, Rick Friesen who also rescued me from three major hills.  He dropped me off after the hills were finished to continue my ride to the café.  I made it, a bit thirsty but alive and well.  We ate breakfast and I finally made a decision to ride back the whole distance of about 24 miles. 

As we continued back, I had less energy.  Every time I thought we would have a hill to go down, it seemed there was a mirage that leveled off and up we would go again.  Finally, we reached the first hill.  I was ready, so I thought until I looked down.  Below me was a winding path that looked like my future destruction.  Yes, I do have an abnormal fear of heights and I handled it completely rationally while yelling:

“Lord, help me!  Lord, help me!  Lord, help me!” 

I tried to remind myself that it wasn’t rational to envision myself flying off the hill like ET.  People ride bikes all the time and are completely okay.  We approached the second hill, and this time God reminded me of this verse: 

“God did not give us a spirit of fear, but of power, love and self-discipline.” (2 Tim 1: 7). 

As I recited the verse over and over again and looked ahead I became more calm.  I began to trust that everything would be okay.  Melodie clocked us at going 40 mph. 

As I think about conflict, I wonder if we often enter blindly, unprepared, and thirsty.  We are along for the ride of ups and downs, but things may not seem to improve until we cry out to God and we use scripture to defeat the enemy.

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