Glory

Today I had a rare opportunity to get a short afternoon ride in and I chose the Northern route on Dakota Ridge. From South to North it is a great combination of anaerobic pain and technical intensity all wrapped up in a short ride.

What was on my heart today was glory. Specifically, to whose glory do I labor, mine or Gods? We read that we should glorify God in all things - eating, drinking and I suppose riding a bike. When I ride I have at times slipped into self glorification. God has granted that I am able to do a few things just a little bit better then those around me and somehow I use that do draw attention to myself and not credit Him who works all things together.

Today I tried to ride as simply as I could with a heart of thankfulness for the opportunity. It was a good ride, granted not my best but I was still out riding in the daylight!! When I approached my technical nemesis on the trail, which is a hairy section that follows the longest sustained climb with all kinds of mini technical obstacles on the ride, I prayed that God might grant me a way through it. What followed was the ugliest, most disconnect 10 yards of technical climbing I have successfully been a part of in a while.

While doing this I was thinking not for my glory but for His...and how does such a thing give Him glory? I think first in my not patting myself on the back for my skill. Also, not breathing a sigh of relief at how lucky I am. Instead, thanking God for giving man me the opportunity to try my best at something and knowing that while it is written that all things are possible with God, everything is impossible without Him.