July 27, 2019

I loaded my bike on the back of my car and headed west of our home to join a large group of bicyclists I didn’t know to ride 62 miles through beautiful Ohio countryside on rolling roads on a gorgeous summer day. I consider it an adventure with Jesus and enjoy the unpredictable possibility of riding the whole 62 miles and meeting strangers trying the same thing!

After 10 miles the riders begin to spread out and you ride with people going your speed and pace. I usually move from rider to rider learning names, where they are from, occupations, etc. After all, it will take 3.5 hours of steady riding plus a couple of support stops for fruits and drinks (and more possible visits) to finish the ride. Riders feel a common joy and goal of riding together and conversation is usually quite welcome and enjoyable.

Twelve miles in I rode up next to a man a little younger than me going the same 18 mph pace and said, “Hello!” Don was 58, came by himself, didn’t know anyone to ride with and was happy to visit. We decided to work together and increase our mph by drafting each other. Ecclesiastes 4:9 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good reward for their toil.” Biking illustrates this verse in efficiency and speed. As time passed, I learned that Don had just retired and sold his business. He liked to talk basketball, he was divorced and lonely. He was raised Catholic just like me. He admitted to being disillusioned with religion and life and was searching for peace and purpose!

You can imagine me riding along knowing Jesus had arranged this meeting and telling Don to ask me any questions he wanted. Leading someone to Christ on a bike ride may sound a little odd but Phillip led the Ethiopian to Christ riding in a chariot in the desert. Paul led the warden and other inmates to Christ in prison (I have experienced that privilege, too) and Peter led people to Christ from his fishing boat.

We are Ambassadors for Christ and all things to all men in all places. In a couple weeks I will again be riding with a group of strangers (and a few friends this time) from Traverse City, Michigan to Mackinaw City, Michigan. Only this time I have four days and a few hundred miles more to meet and visit with other bike riders sharing an adventure. I consider this a target rich environment for evangelism!

Riding my bike is my health insurance, my therapy, and physical exercise and even my devotion times with Jesus. But when I meet a stranger who becomes a friend and might even come to Christ it becomes pure joy!

Rolling along with Jesus,

Tom Randall