Just Keep Pedaling!

Several weeks ago, we signed up for a biking trip through the Andes.  Forty-six kilometers didn't sound all that bad since we bike that far in the states. Besides, this was all downhill.  What's not to like?  Beautiful scenery and all downhill. About 5 miles into our ride, we discovered that downhill was right down the sides of mountains that drop thousands of feet into ravines.  Added to that, the road became slick with pouring down rain.  Our brakes got a work out!  One more terrifying surprise: on two occasions, we were chased by packs of wild dogs.  One pack of five and one pack of two LARGE dogs.  They were relentless.  Since this was new to us, we did not know what to do except just keep pedaling!   And pray!  And pray, we did!  We called aloud to Jesus for His protection.  We didn't panic (outwardly!); we stayed focused and pedaled really hard and really fast. Out-pedaling the hounds seemed to be the best idea.  They gave up.  We breathed again!  And, vowed to never do that again!
God rescued in a big way, clearly and obviously.  We have friends who are facing very difficult situations now.  Please, don't ever think God doesn't care. Don't ever think God doesn't see every spoke on our bicycles.

We've all been chased by hounds that interrupt, threaten, and hinder us.  As a Christian, watch for God's intervention.  Sometimes, He rescues quietly.  Only the person(s) rescued/relieved knows that it happened. It's so stealth, but it occurred, and they know Who did it.  It was small and indiscreet, but they know Who intervened.  Perhaps you've had that experience.

Sometimes God rescues on a grand scale, clearly obvious to us and those around us.  Remember the plot to murder Paul? (Acts 23:12)  God had no intention of allowing this because Paul's purpose was not completed.  He had an appointment to speak in Rome.  The grand-scale rescue? Deliver Paul to Caesarea.  How? With a detachment of 200 soldiers, 70 horsemen, and 200 spearmen (Acts 23:23+) ...And, give Paul a horse, too!  The calvary arrived and rescued. God did not leave him alone; He surrounded him with an army. Paul knew he was walking on the road toward his eventual death. But, he wasn't walking it alone.

Believe us when we say, we depended entirely on a strength that was not ours when those snarling, barking dogs chased us. One slip on the wet road or one wobble of the handle bars would have delivered us over the enbankment or into a nasty fight.  We believe we had an army with us that day. Whatever your hound is, persevere, stay focused, and just keep pedaling! Pedal hard!