The day was sunny with scattered clouds. The road out into the unknown was calling. The idea of finding a quiet spot to hand out by water was an appealing invitation that I could not ignore. With a fresh tank of gas and protective gear in place, it was time to ride.
The feeling of the day still lingers. I can feel the buffeting wind, the occasional sting of the desert sand, and the road unfolding before me. I looked down and caught myself in my mobile camera, the moment etched in my mind and on my heart in ways it is hard to describe. This was not a time for hiding indoors. It was a time to be on the road, flying in the wind, riding to points unknown.
Life includes within and without. In a post-COVID world, the easiest decisions to make are remote working and virtual realities. One does not need to think about things being real. Inside and out, I spend much of my day in virtual realities. Increasingly, personal contact, conversation, and simply being with others is more than it used to be. Maybe I took things for granted in the past. In the new world, I hear the old call with a fresh appreciation for what it brings. “So let’s go outside, where Jesus is, where the action is – not trying to be privileged insiders, but taking our share in the abuse of Jesus.” (Hebrews 13.13)
Life’s only sure thing is experience. I had no idea what the ride would bring. Visually, I imagined the good and the bad. One scene had me skidding on the asphalt, trusting in the carbon fibre helmet and threads in my jeans, working with the pads on the edges, and trusting that everything would be okay. Another had me refreshed, wind burned, and at peace. This morning reminds me that good dreams do come true.
Purpose can be a destination. It is more than a choice or response. I can hear the call coming again today. It is time to ride.
