“And whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” (Colossians 3:17)
I like Thanksgiving. And one of the things I like bestis the fact that, for the most part, there’s not a lot of hoopla around it like there is around other holidays, just an invitation to slow down for a moment and be grateful for God’s many blessings in our lives. But have you ever thought about doing that while you’re out on your bike?
I sure have!
Oftentimes my gratitude is inspired by the beauty of the scenery around me. In fact, the sunrise photo you see here is one that I took while biking down a county road near my house a while back—a scene that was so lovely that I felt compelled to pull my bike over, take the photo, and offer up a prayer of thanks right then and there. At other times, though, it comes from nothing more than an awareness of how fortunate I am to have strong legs, plenty of air in my lungs, and maybe a friend or two with whom to share the ride. Whatever the reason, I find that practicing gratitude while I’m out on my bike helps me to have a better day in other areas of my life as well.
That’s usually the way it works, you know. We’re not always grateful by nature; it takes practice. And if you ask me, the apostle Paul understood that very well. As a man who often faced hardship, he knew that without a thankful heart he could easily feel defeated and sink into despair. So, he not only practiced gratitude himself, he also encouraged others to do so as well. Whatever you do, he said in essence, try to somehow turn it into an occasion for thanksgiving.
So, next time you’re out on your bike—even if it’s a gloomy, windy day (or maybe especially then)—why not take a moment to thank God for something around you, or within you, or simply God’s presence along the way. Who knows? That one little gesture just might make a big difference!
PRAYER: Thank you, God, for the many blessings you pour into my life. Help me to be more aware of them, whether I’m out on my bike or flat on my back. Either way, you are good, and I am grateful. Amen
Dave Marty is a retired pastor who lives with his wife, Mary, in Brownsburg, Indiana. They have two beautiful daughters, two great sons-in-law, and two creative teenage grandchildren. In addition to cycling (including unicycling), Dave also enjoys gardening, Scrabble, hosting Holy Land tours with Mary, and tutoring kindergarteners at a nearby school