One of the verses I have been spending time as I ride is 2 Timothy 4:7 ESV “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  While I know Paul is writing to Timothy that he expects his (Paul’s) life to be over soon and is encouraging Timothy… I was focusing on how did he keep the faith. How was he able to say he finished the race and did well?  Was it that he had a few good days at the end, or a good start and that counted?   

Then the example of the ride I’m on came to me.  After about 12 more days I’ll be done.  If the weather and my body permit I’ll have completed my adventure.  However the end is really the sum of all the individual days riding.  Dealing with rain, snow, hours of riding up mountains, coasting down for miles, flat tires, amazing scenery, meeting new people, making friends, quiet time on the bike, etc.  If I quit before the end of 30 days  I will still have had an adventure, but not finished the one laid out before me.  

In the context of faith, I believe we need to look at EACH DAY with the view of 2 Timothy 4:7.  Did I finish the day well?  Did I follow the Lord today?  Did my faith in Him grow?  Did I accomplish what HE wanted me to accomplish today?   In this way our hearts and minds are inclined daily to Him.  The sum of those days will help us make that same bold statement Paul did  at the end of our lives here on earth.  

So I encourage you to ask these questions.  What does He have for me today?  How do I follow Him today?  Did I rely upon his leading and Wisdom during the challenges / struggles I faced? And at the end of the day?  How did I do?  If you had one of those days where you didn’t follow, all is not lost.  Spend time in prayer and ask for forgiveness and start the next day leaning on and listening to Him.  

I hope to write more about this when I get back – but this is what He put on my heart yesterday (Day 19)

Quick summary of the day- road about 70 miles total. Have ridden over 1,020 miles so far!  Crossed two more mountain passes. Had great weather and met a several new folks along the way. Stayed at a cycling only campground in Dillon MT.  Off to Ennis MT next and then to Yellowstone the day after Ennis. 

Assuming I finish my “race”