Not every moment spent away from the "routine" or "normal" of life can be restorative, but doing what is not normal often can be; I recall once spending 6 hrs on a bike ride with a very dear friend in Texas that was so refreshingly restorative to my soul it was like being bathed in a waterfall of showering renewal---deep fellowship was shared, overcoming physical challenges and thirst were shared, joys & sorrows were shared...restoration & renewal rarely happens in a vacuum.
This 2023 year has presented a rather unique form of restoration & renewal for many, one filled with joys and sorrows, triumphs and shortcomings, achievements and disappointments; the sudden loss of a dear friend & family member, an unexpected job opportunity and associated promotion dissolving within 90-days of acceptance, the announcement of a new grandbaby arriving in early 2024, long-awaited medical reports bringing both encouragement and apprehension, the consideration of closing out a nearly 4-decade career----End of Year reflections combined with New Years beginnings are often filled with renewal...
Scripture reminds us often of opportunities for renewal; the New Testament writer of Romans mentored the readers of his letter to "Not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind." Wait---read that again..."be transformed". As in RENEWAL, OVERHAUL, IMPROVE...? Being conformed to societal and worldly patterns suddenly seems a bit confining and restrictive, definitely not transforming or renewing. As an avid cyclist, there’s very few things I enjoy more than being on the saddle of the bike, from casual riding with friends down on the Mount Vernon trail or Haines Point Park in the Washington DC area to solo rides out into the Shenandoah foothills of Virginia, long rides out to Castle Rock from our home in Colorado Springs, and everything in between---cycling is, indeed, a deeply enjoyable and inviting passion. But why is spending 2, 3, 4, or sometimes 5+ hours on a bike more than just a recreational activity to me? 🤔
I could site several medical & physiological accounts & statistics regarding the benefits of cycling or provide documented regarding the sociological and psychological values that cycling, specifically, brings to the participant; but for me, cycling is the only recreationally RENEWING activity which truly gives BACK to me exactly what I GIVE to it, while at the same time directly providing me a service in the form of transportion. Bottom line, the bike won’t go if I don’t push the pedals, and every time I push those pedals I burn calories, keeping my body healthy, reducing daily stress factors, and helping to clear my mind & enrich my mental faculties--what little I have, anyway! ☺ And the more I ride, the more I am RESTORED & RENEWED, ready to face the next day’s challenges & activities awaiting my attention. I also can honestly tell you it makes a difference when I’m NOT on the bike regularly—I don’t sleep well, I don’t have clarity in my thinking, I’m more susceptible to catching a cold, I get a little more “edgy” about little things…food even tastes different!
My time on the bike is also my own personal retreat from the world and a private devotional time with Jesus; reflecting on passages from Scripture to "Be transformed..." [Romans 12:1-2], to "Be still and know...[Psalm 46:10], and to "Seek Me and find Me..." [Jeremiah 29:13] serve as motivating moments of renewal and an invitation to refocus my heart & soul's desire for fellowship in Him and with His followers [1 John 1:7]. Just as cycling, then, is correspondingly renewing to me based on my own personal investment, so is my faith-walk journey reflective of my own dedicated & disciplined devotion, bringing both RESTORATION & RENEWAL to my heart and soul. As the dawn of a New Year arrives I look forward with great anticipation to many more opportunities for reflection, restoration, and renewal, both personally, professionally...may your 2024 be overwhelmingly filled with the same!
