Crashing

If you are reading this, you probably know me and know that I LOVE biking, specifically mountain biking. I ride as much as I can, preferably off road and singletrack out in the wilderness. Yes, there are inherent dangers and riding here in Namibia when one goes off trail or crashes, often it is into rocks, thorns or both. Last weekend I participated (and finished) my first cross country race, and I crashed on the first of four laps. And it got me thinking.

What does one do when you crash? Often we first look around to see who noticed, we feel a bit sorry for ourselves and then start blaming everything and everyone for what happened. It hurts to crash. It is somewhat humiliating and can set us back on our journey quite a bit. Or you can dust yourself off, get some treatment, find friends to encourage you and get going again. As you slowly get going again you desperately try not only NOT to crash again but you warn others, you point out pit falls and rocks in the path.

As I recuperate and heal from my physical crash I couldn’t help thinking about how it is so similar to when we crash spiritually—when we sin or disobey. We look around to see if anyone has noticed, we sometimes run and hide, pretending nothing happened and don’t tell a soul. Or we find a trusted friend/mentor to help us heal and correct what made us crash in the first place.

I believe there are many brothers (and sisters) all around us who struggle like this. So this post has two applications.

1. If you are strong, if you can help those who have crashed (the broken and hurting), come along side them and lend a hand, a shoulder, a coffee and a listening ear.  Share with them your own journey and point out the “rocks and thorns” that you may have experienced.
2. If you are broken, hurting, ashamed or embarrassed by your ‘crash’, let go of your pride and open up to a friend. Not one of us is immune to falling (or failing) from time to time. You are not alone.
3. Lastly, return to God who loves you just the way you are and desires to see you whole, healthy (in every way) and welcomes even the most wayward sinner, the thirstiest deserter and the coldest of hearts. He is waiting.

Lastly, when you find the courage to get up, dust yourself off and ride on you will find you will not only be stronger for it but also will crash less going forward and eventually, finish well!  – Kevin