The Bike Jump

By Wayne Lowry.

Volume 1 Issue 7

When I was about nine years old, my family went on a camping trip.  I loved camping.  I especially enjoyed riding my bike.  Biking off road in a state park was much better than riding on the city sidewalks.  On this particular trip, we had just arrived and Dad was setting up the pop-up trailer.  I had to find something productive to do or else I might have had to help set-up camp.  I decided that I would take my bike out and scout the campground.  After riding around I came across a little path not too far from our campsite.  It was a straight path, and about halfway across it was a nice little bump.  It was not the Grand Canyon (that is another story for another time), but if you hit it just right you could get a little air.  I had made several passes when Dad walked up to solicit my time.  I don’t remember if it was to work, eat or bathe, but whatever it was, it would just have to wait until I showed him the big finish.  I started from what seemed like a mile away and accelerated to maximum biking speed.  The trees whipped by, and the parked cars were nothing but a blur of colors.  I can only assume I broke some world records, but since no one was there filming it, you will just have to take me at my word that I was going extraordinarily fast.  As I approached the jump, I took a quick glance to make sure my dad was watching.  He was.  I turned my full attention back to the menacing hurdle up ahead…

I hit the bump, and it all went black…

I woke up in my dad’s arms.  It went black again…

I woke up again, this time with a water hose in my mouth.  (Dad claimed he was trying to wash rocks out of my checks, but I still believe he was practicing his “water boarding” technique on me.)

I recovered from the crash and the “water boarding” incident over the next few weeks.  Later, Dad described his version of the events leading up to and the few moments after that wreck.  The thing that stuck out to me was that he said that every fiber of his body told him to stop me from making that jump.  He knew I was going too fast and just wanted to reach out and grab me before I could hurt myself.  You know, our Heavenly Father is the same way with us.  If he stepped in every time we had hardships, we would not develop into the person He wants us to be.  In Jas. 1:2Jas. 1:2
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; temptation: or, trials  

WP-Bible we read “My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; 3  Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. 4  But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.” Many people in this world blame God for their pain.  They say if God were real, he would keep them from suffering.  However, what we need to admit to ourselves is that most of our hardships and pains come from our own mistakes.  In Jas. 1:13Jas. 1:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: evil: or, evils  

WP-Bible we find “Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: 14  But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.” Even in the darkest room, God provides us light.  He may allow us to experience temptations and trials, but we should not have a “poor me” attitude.  Paul says in 1 Co. 10:131 Co. 10:13
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. common...: or, moderate  

WP-Bible  “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.” We need to understand that God will not allow anything harder than what He had to allow His own son to bear.  In Heb. 2:18Heb. 2:18
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.  

WP-Bible we read, “For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.” He will help us through any trail or pain that we suffer in this life.  Jas. 1:12Jas. 1:12
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
12 Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.  

WP-Bible says “Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.” And once this life is over we have a promise that in Heaven we will not have to suffer any more pain, Rev 21:4Rev 21:4
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.  

WP-Bible “And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.”

My Dad was able to pick me up and take care of me when I was my most vulnerable.  We are blessed to have a Heavenly Father who will do the same for us.  Paul said in 2 Co. 12:92 Co. 12:9
English: King James Version (1611) - KJV
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  

WP-Bible “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness.  Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.  10.  Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong.” Our Father will be there to lift us up when we need him the most!  Be strong in the Lord!  He will help your through the trials of this life!

Your challenge this week is to reflect on a time in your life where you were vulnerable.  Do you see the hand of God lifting you through that hardship?  If not, could it be that you ignored His support and choose to get through it on your own?

God Bless,

Wayne Lowry