There’s a joke I’ve heard more than once as I’ve hung around avid cyclists, and it goes like this: “You know how many bikes a guy needs, don’t you? [pause] Just ONE MORE!”
I usually laugh when I hear it, and yet I couldn’t help thinking about that joke a little differently when I recently volunteered for a day in the bike repair shop at Midwest Mission, a not-for-profit organization near Springfield, Illinois, that distributes emergency and relief supplies to people throughout many parts of the world. These supplies often include used bicycles that have been donated to Midwest where they get cleaned up and reconditioned before being sent out to places in need. (That’s me in the photo working on a child’s bike.)
That may not seem like a big deal to most of us, but for many people living in poverty, a bicycle can make a huge difference in their quality of life. And while I worked at Midwest, I heard several heartwarming stories as to how some of their donated bikes had done just that. In one case, a couple in Honduras (see photo) reported how bikes that came through the Midwest enabled them to get their goods to market earlier in the day. While in another area of Honduras, children whose families had lost nearly everything in a recent hurricane were thrilled to receive bikes that are now helping them get to school more easily and enjoy some fun with their friends as well (other photo).
In every case, though, the blessing started with someone willing to say, “Maybe I don’t need just one more.”
All of this put me in mind of what John the Baptist once said to some of the crowds who were coming to him for baptism, shortly before Jesus began his public ministry. John challenged them to “bear fruit worthy of repentance.” (Luke 3:8) And when the people asked John how they could do that, he responded, “Whoever has two coats [today he might say bikes!] must share with anyone who has none, and whoever has food must do likewise.” (Luke 3:10)
When we share with others, we not only bless them, but we experience a blessing ourselves as God’s love flows through us. So, whether it’s a bike* or coat or something else, why not ask God what you can share with others? You’ll be glad you did!
Generous God, you have blessed us so abundantly. Help us to see how we can share our abundance with those in need. We ask this in the name of Jesus, who gave his all for us. Amen
*There are lots of organizations that receive and rehab donated bikes for charity. Check online for an organization near you.
