My wife and I “enjoy” a tradition begun about 13 years ago—we go on a bike ride, the length of which is one mile for every year we’ve been married. Now you know why I put “enjoy” in quotation marks! If there’s a sliding scale from “enjoy” to “endure,” we’re rapidly sliding further to the “endure” end of the spectrum!
Anyway, this past August 9th was our 45th anniversary, and tradition demands we ride 45 miles—in one day. Between rather busy schedules and inclement weather (read, “been way too hot!”), we finally had a day to squeeze it in 7 weeks late.
The problem is neither of us had been on our bikes for over a year! We have decent Trek bikes—21 gears and all—but the issue isn’t the bikes. It’s the bodies! With our lack of any conditioning at all, I was quite sure that neither of us would be able to grind out the miles on our traditional bikes.
Last year we did our 44+ mile ride along the Pacific Ocean in Huntington Beach, California. For the first time ever, we rented a couple of e-bikes, knowing that riding into the headwind off the ocean would be brutal. Turns out it was a good choice. We used minimal power the entire way, but was surely needed.
With that experience behind us, I suggested we do the same—rent a couple of e-bikes from a bike shop in Geneva, Illinois, and get our miles in on the Fox River Trail.
My bride reluctantly agreed. To her, it feels like “cheating.” I get it, but given the need for survival, she yielded.
Again, a good choice!
The 7-speed bikes we rented have three regular e-levels. “Eco” provides a minimal amount of pedal assistance. “Sport” gives a greater boost. “Turbo” is that much more powerful. What’s more, flip the switch near the left handgrip and there’s no need to pedal—the bike takes off on its own!
For probably 42 of the 45 miles, we rode in “Eco” mode. The only exception was bumping it to “Sport” for a few brutal uphill climbs. I only flipped the left-hand switch a couple of times for a few seconds to see what happened—and you do take off!
Well, in about four hours with only a few brief breaks, we logged the needed 45 miles. In the end, we both agreed if it weren’t for the extra little power boost with each push of the pedals, we couldn’t have done it.
Musing over our dependence upon the extra power and the help it afforded took my thoughts to the oft abused verse, Philippians 4:13 —
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
I remember hearing a Christian school basketball coach use this verse to motivate his players and give them the confidence that yes, they could win this game! After all, the Bible promises “I can do all things” through the power boost of Jesus!
Inwardly, I cringed.
At the game’s end, I also wondered if any of the players got upset that Jesus didn’t show up and strengthen them as promised so they could win the game. They got trounced rather soundly.
Clearly, Philippians 4:13 doesn’t promise you can drain the half-court shot, sink the 40-foot putt, or kick a 60-yard field goal if you just depend on Jesus to help you.
In the context, Paul had shared that he came to learn how to be content regardless of his circumstances.
I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need.
How on earth could he do that? In those “low” times when just scraping by—times of hunger and need—how could he be content?
In those times of abundance, when the temptation to indulgence and pride powerfully grip the heart, how could he be content?
Christ who strengthens him gave the “power boost” as he pedaled through those uphill patches along the path, enabling him to endure the low points without complaining and the abundance with grace. And it’s just that virtue of contentment that God calls us to in the varied circumstances of life. After all,
…there is great gain in godliness, for we brought nothing into this world and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content” (1 Timothy 6:6-8).
So…the point of Philippians 4:13 becomes clear: by God’s grace, you can do what God calls you to do in a difficult, challenging situation—not by gritting your teeth and grinding it out, but by pedaling forward in dependence upon the “power boost” available in Christ Jesus.
Elsewhere, Paul put it this way to Pastor Timothy:
You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus… (2 Timothy 2:1).
Pedal on!
