Saddle up!

Yesterday, Bob and I went on bike ride.  It was beautiful, out in the country, made friends with a couple of dogs (thanks to the treats I always carry.)  It had been awhile since I had been earnestly into biking, so it’s high time to restart.

This morning, however, my left knee disagrees.  Occasionally, it likes to remind me that I’m 30 years beyond 27, and I need to accommodate my activity as such.  Bah-humbug!

Having a wayward part does make my body a bit more challenging.  If I’m going to work up to a full biking club ride, I’m going to have to do some conditioning, for sure.  Thankfully, I’ve got some good help in the person of my husband.  But even with that, I’m still the one having to make the decision to get on that two-wheeled monster.

So when I read about God’s design, desire, and His heart for the unity of His people, I’m a bit amused and awed at the same time:

“I appeal to you, dear brothers and sisters, by the authority of our Lord Jesus Christ, to live in harmony with each other. Let there be no divisions in the church. Rather, be of one mind, united in thought and purpose.”

And again:

“May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other, as is fitting for followers of Christ Jesus.”

Seriously?  This is so completely out of humanity’s league that it’s laughably impossible!

But then, so was my eternal salvation.  It has been said that God likes to give us the impossible so that WHEN (not if) it is accomplished, the credit belongs only to Him.  And this command for unity falls decidedly within that category.  (If you have any doubts, just ask the person in the pew next to you…just sayin’.)

There are so many other references to the power and the heart of God for unity, that it is inarguably high on His list of priorities.  For that, we have the Holy Spirit and all the resources of heaven at our disposal, but there’s one more thing needed:

“Be eager and strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony and oneness of [and produced by] the Spirit in the binding power of peace.”

Oh, you mean I have to get on the bike to make it go somewhere?  As a gentleman, the Holy Spirit will not override my personal decisions….

Now I’m off to find the bottle of naproxen.

1 Corinthians 1:10; Romans 15:5  Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

Ephesians 4:3  Amplified Bible, Classic Edition (AMPC)  Copyright © 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation