It’s time to start riding again. I used to look forward to riding my bike and would ride about seven or eight miles every morning. Then I fell and broke some ribs, then the weather was bad, then I had surgery, then I did some travelling, then I gained several pounds, then I lost some muscle, then I didn’t even think about riding. Yes, it’s time. I rolled out my bike this morning and discovered two flat tires. I tried pumping them, but they rejected the life-giving air. Was this another excuse to put off riding?
I recognize that I am often derailed by flat tires. Flat tires are the things that deflate our joy, keep us off purpose, and cause us to procrastinate. While writing the book of Revelation, John was told to send a message to the church in Ephesus regarding their flat tire. He wrote, “I hold this against you: You have forsaken the love you had at first. Consider how far you have fallen! Repent and do the things you did at first. If you do not repent, I will come to you and remove the last bit of air from your tires.” (Revelation 2:4-5, paraphrase mine)
Yes, it was time to start riding again, but how could I? My tires were flat. Then I remembered my wife’s bike. It’s one of those fat-tired cruisers that weigh about fifty pounds and sell for two dollars a pound at Wal-Mart. I had to let go of my negativity and recognize that a $100 bike with air in the tires is a much better ride than a $1000 bike with two flats. I decided to start with what I have. Are you a big fat cruiser like me, or are you a sleek racing bike? If you have air in your tires, you can move. Dear Lord, fill me with air!
“Then the Lord God formed a man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7 NIV)