By: Michael Lander
Most of us have heard about taking a leap of faith or taking a walk of faith, but sometimes, the living of one’s faith can come in many different and unique ways. For some, it can even be found on two wheels.
Whether or not we think of ourselves as being a person of faith, we still have many times in our lives when we find ourselves placing our trust and our faith in someone or something else. It would be virtually impossible to go through life without doing that.
It is only natural, then, that we would put our trust and faith in something much greater than ourselves that gives some meaning and purpose to our very existence and we find that when we turn to the divine – or in other words – to God.
Cycling, like faith, can be a test of endurance and perseverance and both can be an extremely rewarding and meaningful experience, especially if one contributes toward the other. |
So, you might ask, how can one express or demonstrate their faith on a bicycle?
The answer, it would seem, is quite simple.
Cycling affords many opportunities for a cyclist to experience their faith, to share their faith, and to live their faith and the bicycle, itself, can provide the modus operandi in order to do just that.
Just about everybody recognizes the health benefits of cycling and even the therapeutic benefits of it as well. There is also a social, recreational, practical (utilitarian), and a competitive aspect of cycling, too.
The answer, it would seem, is quite simple.
Cycling affords many opportunities for a cyclist to experience their faith, to share their faith, and to live their faith and the bicycle, itself, can provide the modus operandi in order to do just that.
Just about everybody recognizes the health benefits of cycling and even the therapeutic benefits of it as well. There is also a social, recreational, practical (utilitarian), and a competitive aspect of cycling, too.
Many people of faith, like Brother Matthew at the Abbey of Gethsemani, can appreciate the true pleasure of riding a bike and the usefulness of it in his work and service as a Trappist Monk. |
Even though many might not think about, faith can be as much a part of one’s cycling experience as any of these other things are.
The application of faith can, arguably, be done at any time or any place, but there are some things that seem to lend themselves more to it than others and cycling is one of them.
In our busy and hectic lives, a cyclist will often find, when riding, that a bike ride can provide them with an opportunity to escape from the many distractions of life and it can provide them with an opportunity for solitude, reflection, and prayers that they might not, otherwise, have time for.
Cycling can also give a person a chance to ride not only for themselves, but in a such a way that it will benefit others, giving them the means in which they can actively demonstrate or express their faith.
One of the best ways that someone can begin to do this is by participating in charitable fundraising events of which there are many that take place each year in Memphis.
Click here to see a list of charitable fundraising events in our river city:
http://memphiscyclist.com/html/charityrides.html
In addition to the charity-related bike rides, there are also other rides, like the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry (UBFM) outreach ministry at First Church United Methodist in downtown Memphis, in which cyclists can participate.
UBFM helps to feed the homeless and hungry in our city and it offers people of faith to reach out their hands and open their hearts to do God’s work in our community and it’s all done on a bicycle.
Click here to read more about the Urban Bicycle Food Ministry in Memphis:
http://memphiscyclist.blogspot.com/2015/05/outreach-ministry-on-bicycles-in.html
Some churches, like First Congregational Church in the Cooper-Young neighborhood have also created an innovative and unique bicycling ministry, known as Revolutions Co-op, which offers a healthy, environmentally-friendly, and an alternative (and cheaper) mode of transportation for Memphis area residents.
Click here to read about First Congregational Church’s Revolution Co-op:
Bicycles can, and have also been used, by missionaries or other people of faith who may sometimes find themselves in remote and isolated areas, or by those who have limited financial means for transportation.
In these instances, the bicycle can be the best and most intimate way that can enable them to connect with people and to spread and share their faith.
In this way, bicycles can essentially become instruments that can lead people to a life of faith and service to others.
Click here to read more about how bicycles can lead some down the road of faith:
http://memphiscyclist.blogspot.com/2014/05/cycling-may-lead-some-down-road-toward.html
There are yet other ways where bicycles can be used by people of faith to do some good in this world that is often so hungry for it.
A popular non-profit bicycle club in Memphis, known as the Memphis Hightailers, is one group that not only sponsors and participates in charity-related bicycle events, but they are also establishing a ride that will enable those who are visually impaired to experience the joy and freedom that can come from a simple bicycle ride.
In these and other ways that bicycles can be used in performing faith-based works, there are also things that bicycles can do for our communities at large.
Bicycles can help unify our communities and bring people together where we are not separated by barriers, fences or walls. A bicycle can give us an opportunity to meet one another in places where we can learn to get to know and appreciate one another.
Whether it is on the roads, trails, or in public parks, a bicycle can take us to places where people often come from communities from around Memphis. Knowing this, people of faith can take advantage of this, if they wish to reach out to others.
The bicycle can take us from a world where we may be segregated and divided and bring us to places where we have a chance to meet, to talk, and to see each other as fellow travelers in this world and this can all start by the simple act of riding a bicycle.
As people of faith, we should seek to dismantle that which obstructs and divides us and bicycles can be one way to help to unify our communities by bringing people together.
To read more about how bicycling can break down barriers, click on this story: http://memphiscyclist.blogspot.com/2014/05/cycling-has-few-boundaries-and-it.html
As much as bicycling can be an outward
expression of one’s faith, it can also help the body and soul of those who do
it.
Cycling is one of the best physical activities that most everyone can do. Staying active and healthy can allow people of faith to better accomplish the work of helping others and sharing their faith. |
It is the body, especially, that can benefit from riding a bike and people of faith should not ignore the value of their own health. It is only from taking care of our bodies that any of us are better able to carry out the work and mission of sharing our faith with others.
Click here to read more about the health benefits of cycling:
http://memphiscyclist.blogspot.com/2012/04/normal-0-false-false-false-en-us-x-none.html
Many
Christians know the story of the good Samaritan and all cyclists, whether they are
people of faith or not, should always be ready, willing, and able to assist
those in need.
We should all take the time to learn some first aid techniques, (what to do for broken bones, bleeding, CPR, etc.). This is a skillset that is invaluable, whenever you or someone else might need it.
We should all take the time to learn some first aid techniques, (what to do for broken bones, bleeding, CPR, etc.). This is a skillset that is invaluable, whenever you or someone else might need it.
You can find a lot about first aid and CPR by reading or watching videos on the
Internet or by taking classes, which may be offered by the American Red Cross or others.
Whenever possible, we should always be willing to render any assistance, especially to those who require immediate medical attention.
The day might come when you will need someone to help you and Good Samaritan Laws in most states will protect you for any actions that you take to help anyone in distress.
Here are links for Good Samaritan Laws in Tennessee: http://web.archive.org/web/20110105082432/http://www.heartsafeam.com:80/files/Tennessee_Good_Samaritan_Act.pdf, Mississippi:
Whenever possible, we should always be willing to render any assistance, especially to those who require immediate medical attention.
The day might come when you will need someone to help you and Good Samaritan Laws in most states will protect you for any actions that you take to help anyone in distress.
Here are links for Good Samaritan Laws in Tennessee: http://web.archive.org/web/20110105082432/http://www.heartsafeam.com:80/files/Tennessee_Good_Samaritan_Act.pdf, Mississippi:
http://billstatus.ls.state.ms.us/documents/2007/pdf/HB/1100-1199/HB1183IN.pdf, and Arkansas: ftp://www.arkleg.state.ar.us/acts/2007/public/ACT683.pdf.
If you are a person of faith, a bicycle will not only be something that can help you to improve your own life and your own health, but it has the potential to do so much more and to even change the world for the better.
You need only to open your mind to its potential and let your faith take you from there.
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