But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
PHILIPPIANS 3:13–14
When riding a bike on mountain roads, we notice things that people in vehicles might not. Every little change in grade, either uphill or down, is felt; we may have to change gears. Small rocks or gravel, litter on the road, animals of all sizes, wind, rain, and the oncoming or passing traffic all affect those on a bike.
Of course, there are compensations for those who ride. The sights, sounds, and smells are more vivid. The exercise is good for us. There is a sense of accomplishment. Whether we’re on an old single-gear Schwinn, a lightweight carbon fiber bike, a hand-driven cycle, a three-wheeler with a basket, or we’re pulling a trailer, we are relying on our own power to move forward.
There are so many ways to ride: in an organized race, with a group of friends out for a weekend, spending time with the family, or maybe just you, the bike, and the mountains. Whatever the goal may be, perseverance and dedication are required. We decide how much to push, foot by foot and mile after mile. There are physical and mental obstacles, things to overcome both within ourselves and outside, that may prevent us from accomplishing what we set out to do—if we let them.
The route we take from salvation to heaven is similar. We get to decide how much we will put into it, how hard we will work, what challenges we will seek to overcome. Some people will encourage us and others will interfere. Each day we decide how much we will follow the Lord, whether we will obey or not, and the amount of ourselves we will give.
Let’s imitate the apostle Paul and press on!