While at Whitefish Bike Retreat we did a shake down ride on Monday, July 15. This was a chance to for the leaders to gain insight into our preparedness, the group’s abilities, and to make sure all equipment was in working order before starting out.
Since sections of the GDMBR are on single track mountain bike paths we spent some time talking about how to manage those sections.
They encouraged us to work on the discipline of intentionally looking about 20-30 yards ahead, then looking about 5 yards ahead, back and forth. This intentionality amidst roots, trees and rocks on an uneven path helps the rider to be aware of current state and what is below, but always with a sense of what is ahead and how to prepare and navigate the coming bend in the road or daunting climb.
I think there’s an application there to life and faith.
It’s important to be alert and aware in the here and now, but we also need to be intentional and thoughtful to consider what is ahead. Are we noticing God’s hand at work today, and yet living in expectation and anticipation for God’s movement in the future?
The actual mountain biking skills are coming back. I used to do some mountain biking in PA and have tried out multiple trails on Granddad Bluff in La Crosse. After our leaders’ instruction, it was cool to ride some trails and experience how my body and my eyes hadn’t forgotten how to scan out, then look down, and react accordingly. I hope and pray that for you and for me - we can practice the discipline of being present and focusing on the here and now, our current location and situation, while paying attention to what is ahead as we journey together during this renewal leave season.
