On February 6, 2023 I turned 63. I wanted to ride my bicycle to Lancaster from Shippensburg, PA. This ambition came to me 7 years ago after being at dinner with some friends and my friends two sons shared how they had rode to lancaster a year earlier. They shared a bit of their adventure. But as I was listening I started to fantasize of me doing the same thing. It would have been quite a fantasy also considering I was about 50 lbs overweight and was virtually on medication to control my high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and pre-diabetes. My doctor was hounding me to lose weight, and take his pills. I eventually did lose weight and I did not take his pills. But this fantasy that was developing in my mind had less to do with my capabilities than actually envisioning me in their place.
And so it is they say a person can succeed when they envision themselves in the place of the story they are reading. Or even sales people talk in pictures to their prospects as they describe the car or house they are selling. “ What road do you see yourself driving in this new car?” Or “Where do you think you’ll take this new red car on its first trip?” “Who will you take with you on this trip?” “Whom will you first entertain on the new patio? Livingroom? Dining room? What room will be for sonny, or cissy?” All of these paint pictures in our mind and develop a vision for each of us to help drive toward our future. Likewise, a vision of our savior on the cross, for some, is themselves, others see a person of kingship and authority, or as a person whom they will never allow to suffer to die for their sins, but rather they can atone for the sins they bore in Adams flesh—themselves. And there are those that see that it was them that deserved to die but instead this kind loving savoir, wanted to pay the price of judgement and let us be free from the prison of death. So when we see this last vision it almost encapsulates all of the above visions, where any one of the above are lacking, something the later gives a person is a one to one relationship with Jesus. “I pray they are one as we are one” This is the type of vision I gained by listening to the story of my young friends. I could see myself riding down each street; feel the cold air blowing in my face the blood filling my thighs; my calves aching as I climb each hill and then the relief I felt going down each hill, and the tears being pushed out of my eyes as the wind pushing against me with vengeful force, yet I overcame as I pulled into Lancaster! The reward is accomplished. But salvation is only the beginning of the race to eternity. the reward will come to the visionary and the humble.
So on the morning of February 6, I got up at 3am. I crawled out of bed with regret. “I’m too tired and old for this nonsense” I thought. Then I fumble around with some coffee and sat down to plan my route. I really should have done this earlier,but I have learned through the Lord, hard desires are of no value in my relationship with Him. It is best to have flexible desires or soft desires that can be detoured for Him and others in my life. That is what had occured the last few days my plans to prepare were spared for the desires of others. So I choose a route that was flat and easier route as per the advice from google. I truly didn’t know what to expect or what I was going to get into. This is the similitude of life in Christ.
I packed my stuff bringing only enough water as I thought I would need; about 2 to 4 ozs of meat from the fridge; Some dark chocolate; and a 2 oz meat stick. After packing in my backpack, I loaded it all in the basket of my bike, putting on my headlamp and turning it on I headed into the dark at 530am, Monday morning.
I could feel the cold air in my face and my eyes were filling with tears as the wind was pushing into my face, the tears began dripping down my cheeks, and into my beard. Cars were passing me on rt 11. They were ever so kind pulling to one side a little, giving me more room. Although, it would appear that Rt. 11 is relatively flat it really has some moderate hills that don’t stop the biker but rather cause him to slow and drop in gear on the way up, and increase the gears on the way down. I learned how close a relationship a biker has with the geography and of the landscape around him. It’s perhaps not as deep or as strong as one whom walks the road or hikes trails, but it is one that is dependent on the environment around him.
As I go through Carlisle, and strive into Mechanicsburg darkness fades into twilight and then continues into dawn and a beautiful sunrise evolves in front of me. Mornings like this remind me of an easter morning and I liken it to the resurrection, my first and and perhaps my second. These thoughts bring a resurrection of my tired legs and a renewed strength in my vision that was beginning to fade as the sun was beginning to dominate the day. Then I make it to Market street bridge that crosses the Susquehanna river. This is a river that at one time separated the west from the east. It is pretty shallow and it’s a mile wide in some places. This is my first quick stop. As I cross the market street bridge, I’m reminded by the scenery around me that this is a city of bridges. I take some pics and send to some friends to document my travel. But it was just 200 years ago that pioneers would cross just south of here in columbia using a ferry to carry their heavy loaded conestoga wagons across this mile wide river. Around 1832, they completed the first bridge spanning the Susquehanna river. It was a covered bridge that eventually was burned during the civil war, as the union army retreated from the rebel forces. This was an act of self destruction for the sake of self preservation. The Susquehanna river has 8 bridges crossing it in Maryland; 77 in Pennsylvania; and 58 in New York. 11 of these bridges are in Harrisburg area alone. And I can see at least six from the market street bridge where I’m about to cross.
I wrap up my thoughts and enjoy the mile long journey across the the first section to city Island and continue to the stop light at the intersection to market street. As I descend off the curb of the bridge to the street I’m greeted with a near miss as a speeding car whizzes by me with it pushing wind up against me I almost loose my hat and my life. I now realize I’m in the real world of commuters on their way to work and in no way are they interested in the courtesies I experienced earlier this morning. Now being in the world of hard desires focused on self there is little room for someone like me. I need to be careful navigating in this world for it is full of pitfalls. What would happen to me if I did encounter some sort of danger like in the stranger that came across some thieves in Luke 10. Would there be some good Samaritan to provide me help. As these thoughts pass I find my way to the capital area greenbelt. It is similar to a rails to trails it is a relatively peaceful journey through Harrisburg first meandering next to the river then continues through some parks and recreation areas in Harrisburg. It crosses a railroad, makes a sharp turn and to the right I see one homeless encampment. On my ride through The Capital Area Greenbelt section I see total of five various homeless encampments. People permanently living in tents. How sad, that they have to live in this manor when there is so much wealth around them just across the street. Some chose this way of life, others don’t. I guess those that chose this, perhaps makes me wondered how safe this section would be at night. And those that didn’t choose this perhaps they too fear the night. The weather starts to cloud more and turns to overcast like it will rain shortly.
Now I enter Steelton. At one time it was prosperous, the steel industry’s darling. Now its a large compound with a river on one side and a canal with a company railroad adjacent. In this compound there are various buildings, in various states of disrepair. Some buildings have no doors, or glass in the windows. But there still is an industry in the facilities island compound. And then a company train goes by me and we are going approximately the same speed which I try to put the power to my legs and I do. And then pass this train! I speed up to an intersection to stop and get a picture of it heading toward me, this I’ll send to my grandchildren. Success! And the engineer waves to me. I catch up with them again when they stop and both wave to me again and I chat a bit with them.
At a sheetz in Highspire I make my first rest stop. I did buy a quest bar and some peanuts, coffee and a soda water. I thought I would save my snacks that I brought.. This was at 10:30 am. I stay for 45 minutes and then continue on my journey. Eventually, I find myself on a rails to trails, connecting to Lebanon county and this will now take me to Ephrata. This is a nice road I’m thinking, I won’t have to worry about hills or make any navigation decisions. This is an easy path. It’s only 20 miles. I’ll knock this off pretty easy. The gravel was small and flexible, offering no roll. This means I’ll be pumping the whole way. My legs burned on this part of the trail. I stopped twice and the second time I fell asleep on a park bench. I know I fell asleep because I woke up! I never notice when I fell asleep. I start thinking how this seems like an easy trail but it is definitely harder then the hills. But I’m so focussed on the flat that I won’t even consider giving up the difficulty for the easier hills. Nothing was going to change my mind. because as hard as it was it had a perception of being easy. I lost my vision and I start thinking. This reminds me of apathy, or that someone told me once this is “Lukewarmness”, and now as I pump my tired old legs I can see how this is just like the “Lukewarm Road”. One nothing was going to change my mind. I was on a journey, if someone was hurt or needed help I would be like the priest that past the stranger. I would stay on my road and even avoid a stranger like the levite did. This is a hard road but lukewarmness seems to be easy but it is one that develops from a hard desire. One that can’t be flexible. A spirit that can’t be pulled away from one’s thoughts, opinions, or ideology, for the sake of others. I think how many times I have forsaken the needs of others because of a hard desire. How many times God could use me and placed the needy in my way but I said I didn’t have the time, because of this or that. Yes, I can justify some good in my life where I have stopped and helped someone. But this road of lukewarmness, is different, because, a Christian can be hot or cold, but not lukewarm. Or rather he could be a christian in name only(CINO), meaning that his desire is so hard that with all the need that is around him/her, it is not of interest to him. He sees the loyalty to self, commitments, fear of being disliked, breaking with peer pressure, promises to institutions or employment, as being noble and honest. But forgetting the first promise, the first love, the savior redeemer and friend. So the road to lukewarmness is all of desire to serve self. But it appears to be a road of deception perhaps. Howbeit that Jesus said, He would rather to have us Hot or Cold than lukewarm.
There was a time when I was sharing my experience or conversion to Christ at a mission. I asked to hear the other guests revelation toward God and how they became converted. Each took their time and we listened to each other then it came to a woman whom simply said, I’m ok of been in this church for 40 years and have been faithful and love God, I’m just alright. Some might say that she was modest and humble. But what I noticed is she lacked something that each of us were saying. That is our completeness was in Christ, and not in an institution, or our rank in life, but rather, we needed him, daily. And at times we even fail but because of the promise of the Holy Ghost, He convicts our conscious and we have regrets, repent and find ourselves back serving Christ. He sits with us and sups with us because of the Holy Spirit. But she lacked nothing, she was complete. Complete in what I’ve often wondered. This was the rebuke for the church of Laodicea. “you say you are rich and have need of nothing” Which is an actual quote from the city leaders of Laodicea, when there was an earthquake that destroyed much of their city, Rome offered help they refused saying, “ we are rich we are in need of nothing”. I imagine when the Lord spoke their own words back to them they shuddered. Like the woman at the well. “you’ve told the truth you have had five husbands and the one you have now isn’t your husband.” Was this mission lady “lukewarm” I’m not sure but one thing hot or cold I don’t think means one is preaching on the street corner necessarily, or running to every disaster. It might be. But I think it is more like compassion and a willingness to do the will of the Father when he gives us the opportunity. Or knowing our failings and having a willingness to look deep into them and repent and receive courage through the holy spirit.
God is always faithful in helping us see our need of him, even in Laodicea, Christ is calling us to see our need in him. So often we find people in our lives that have needs, when we are hot or cold these little or least ones tend to touch our heart and it gives pause to think and a choice to make. One time when I was working as a delivery driver, I went into an alley there was only enough room for my van. On each side of the van was brick and wood structures of all sorts. on each side of the tires of my van were wedged between the sidewalks. I got out and then in my van through the back door to get a package. A very nice Cadillac pulled in behind me. Then another car behind him and another yet. I had no idea that this alley was a thorough fare. But it instantly became a congested traffic jam. I was the congestion. Then it happened. The van door closed, the inside latch was broken, and I was stuck inside.. The horns from the Cadillac and others behind started to honk endlessly and I became frantic. I was the cause of all this commotion but, there was nothing I could do. I peered through the back window banging on the glass motioning in some way, to someone for help. The man that was most disgusted with me, that had the coldest heart was beeping and making foul gestures to me and yelling, he got out of his car. Then came to the door, and opened it from the outside, turned and left back to his car. At that moment I was saved by a man whom Jesus said was cold. Not lukewarm, but cold. Somehow Jesus stirs the compassion in those that are cold and those that are hot. But the lukewarm might have gotten out of his car and redirected traffic out of the alley, but left me their stuck. Yes he would have been a hero to some, but to this lamb, he would have abandoned. In fact I’m convinced the lukewarm would do that with most people. It takes a lot of insensitivity to continue in your task when others around you are in need. But the biggest problem is the lukewarm perhaps has a form of self-centeredness, that they can’t see their own need. Was Felix like that, having many concerns for his kingdom, he became indifferent to his own needs? Paul shares his most precious pearl with him and Agripa. But Felix says that he will consider another time. In the case of lukewarm desire, or apathy, tomorrow never comes. Have I been that way with others my life busy in church life, work, recreation, that I don’t have time to stop and help those around me? Yes, it seems that way for me. But, there is another, form of self-centeredness, its fear. Yes, “what will others say if they see me”, helping, talking, or even visiting this person. This form might help others but, only if the group will help. Is this wisdom from above or from the earth? Again making deliveries in Harrisburg, Pa. I saw a person, on the side of the road. I ignored him. Then I saw a person walking with a gas can, I ignored him I had too much to do. Then on the Harvey Taylor bridge a car stopped and the cars in front of me, went into the opposing lane to pass this stopped car, then it was my turn. I had moved up in line now I’m at the cars bumper; I have a choice, cars are now beeping at me; Do I go around this car and leave the help to someone else or do I go and see if I can help? I get out of my car as the man in the Cadillac did with a disgusting attitude. As I get closer my attitude changes I see a woman scared or anxious maybe—I think of my wife. As I approach I see this woman was almost in tears and this scene now starts to warm my heart. I get a little closer and the woman says to me “My car died and it won’t start. I have help coming but I’m stuck on this bridge, and I can’t do anything and everyone is making all this commotion behind me and around me.” I ask, “would you want me to push you off the bridge to the park on the other side over there” I point beyond to the right. She responded, “yes, please! Then triple A, can help me. Just please do that for me I would be very grateful.” So I went to her need for a selfish reason(cold), then it changed to an unselfish desire(hot). So I pushed a woman off the bridge and she was happy. When I got home and told my wife my day. “And by the way I have confessing to make, honey, I pushed a woman off a bridge today” “What how could you?”
“She wanted me to”, I coyly responded. Then I told her the rest of the story. We both laughed.
I get back on my Bike and start out again I have five miles left to the end of this. lukewarm road. and it starts to get easier. It starts to go down hill a little just slightly but it is slightly relieving. and I can gain some speed. So, perhaps what makes it so addictive to a lukewarm person is after some time of practicing ignoring others needs—it gets easier. I start thinking again of vision, can a lukewarm person have a vision for this desire, like I had when I started? I had a vision of me on this trail, I saw myself riding my bike, I saw myself in pain, and in joy—my vision led me to where I am. Perhaps, a lukewarm person, is so focused on his journey in life earthly goods, position, rank, status, or materialism, they can’t see or won’t see the will of the Lord.
At the end of the trail I see a mennonite girl trying to exercise on this trail by doing some jogging. I Exit the trail and look ahead on the road in front of me—Hills! Yes a welcome sight real work! Hills! My thoughts go to my other observations in life, can a lukewarm spirit turn into something worse—Apathy. Apathy is a condition that is like lukewarm but, where you are of no use to the Lord, you also, become of no use to the world either. I knew a man that became so disillusioned, lost his friends, and all he had and became apathetic—and got fired from his job. Notice that apathy is caused through disappointment, whereas, lukewarmness comes through success, pride and self righteousness. Yet, all things can be repented of including apathy and lukewarmness. Yet it seems that only God, can reach this person or perhaps they have to lose it all to see their condition and even then they have to have a strong desire to stay on “Lukewarmness Road”. When I worked in sales the sales manager had this cartoon mounted in a frame on his desk. It reminds me of the danger for caring so little that you won’t even pick up the phone when a person calls or return a call when received. I heard a man give an excuse one day to a friend of his, “sorry I didn’t return your call, I’m not much of a phone person” This was a moderately wealthy business man speaking to a lower ranking person in his life. The friend just smiled looked downcast, and away. He knew how he ranked in his friends life and it wasn’t very high. I thought, would this businessman treat his customers the same way? If he did, it would be like the following cartoon. Yes with all the excuses we can come up with not to help others, or not visit with them, or at least return their calls, the one that makes the least sense to the Lord is I didn’t have time. “If I don’t return the call maybe they will stop bugging me” Apathy
No, I decide, as I climb this hill and welcome the burning of my legs going up the hill there is a reward coming, ah, yes, my vision is the reward. I can’t see it as I climb I just know there is one coming! What it is I’m not sure but it will alleviate my pain and become like a balm. So is apathy a fruit of disillusionment, perhaps caused by, those that are generally good people, but are lukewarm. Therefore, apathy is similar to lukewarm however, its roots are reactionary, where as lukewarmness is without cause. Yet apathy, is also choice. So although, lukewarmness, and apathy have to be hard roads like this rails to trail—Lukewarmness road. It has exits—repentance. And renewed spirit to look forward to the hills and valleys and not desire the easy road. But those exits are hard to desire or to envision, its appealing to keep ignoring others, and staying on this perceived easy path to Lancaster.
Now I reach the top of that hill, and exit onto Rt. 322 outside of Ephrata. It starts going downhill! Downhill fast! Like real fast! This road is a state highway going through a state forest. As I go around the bend in the road I see yet more down hill and I check my speed on my watch—27 miles and hour! I have to brake, there little break left for this tremendous drop. Then I come into Ephrata, and another hill. The rest from the down hill grade was an encouragement to this hill in front of me. And I pump my legs again not feeling the pain I did on “Lukewarmness Road”. And this is my road now lukewarmness is behind and now I enjoy the hills and valleys to Shady maple. I pull into the smorgasboard, thinking I have such an appetite that I’ll put them out of business! I wait for my wife and grandchildren to arrive. I call and find out that one of the grandchildren, are ill and my wife needs to take them to an urgent care for an ear infection. When they finally showed up the restaurant was closed, and I didn’t care that I missed my free birthday meal. My reward wasn’t as important to me as my grandson getting the care he needed for the pain. I was overjoyed to see them. And they were too. We headed home together in our van and stopped at some restaurant closer to home that was open late. I didn’t put them out of business, and my stomach wasn’t as empty as I thought it.
Howbeit that God loves us so much he puts situations in our way to soften our hearts to desire the hills and the valleys of life. The challenges in life that add depth and meaning to our time on this earth, so when we meet Him at the judgement our soul will say “When did we feed you? When did we clothe you? When did we visit you?” And our soul will be filled with joy of His answer.
When you did to the least (in your life) you did to me…..
Happy trails
jmacwrites