The Curve Ahead

For some reason, I both HATE and LOVE riding my bikes in mountains. Of course you would think so, for riding up is usually tough, but riding down is a breeze. Both I have mixed blessings of both directions. When descending a mountain, you need to watch carefully for obstructions in the road. Even the smallest size rock or hole can send a speeding bicycle to the road surface or off the road rather quickly. And if you encounter a curve; taking the inside track towards opposing traffic, well just a little left of center can spell doom, when a car decides to use the yellow line as well. In the battle between a bike and a car–cars win, hands down.

Even though I love the speed and the ease of coasting, for some reason, I also relish a challenge of achieving the mountain peak, to enable the coast to begin. Climbing is not my forte. I have never, ever been a good climber. I carry too much extra baggage on my body. My reserve muscle is what I call it. Everyone else knows it as fat. Also, I have chicken legs. My very thin calves, strain to power the pedals around and around, dragging my reserve muscle up the mountain. And then there is the switchback.

Here is my love–hate moments. I am pedaling, all of a swift 5 or 6 mph and see up ahead a curve in the road. Looking for inspiration to keep on riding, I begin to imagine what lies beyond the bend in the road. Behind me has been sweat, tears and struggles, but hope is just around the next curve. I hope for a softer grade; I hope for the sign of a downhill cruise; I dream of seeing Lance Armstrong waiting around the corner to take over my trek. OK, sometimes my imagination gets carried away. But anyway, the curve is an unknown, but it possesses hope.

Most switchbacks disappoint. You make the bend to find, more incline, more hill, more pain and struggle. But you also see–another curve–more hope.

I am not  one to say that my life has always been an uphill struggle. I have enjoyed many times of coasting freely down the slopes. In fact I on occasions have needed to tap breaks, ease the descent. Life is good and life is rewarding. But, honestly, there are times when you look back to see a period of time when the hill has gotten the best of you. You see struggles, frustrations, unfulfilled hopes and it seems rather bleak. But, all it takes, is that one longing glance up front to see the next curve.

As Velocity Church begins to change direction over the next few months, many will see this as a struggle which failed. But, too many lives have been touched by God’s grace for that to really be the case. The next few months will be an exciting time for the church. A new leadership team is being formed; a new staff is being gathered; all with tons of experience and know how of re-directing Velocity to a successful plant. The foundation is laid, now someone must come along and build up that solid foundation.

As for me, well, Velocity Volume will come to an end. The curve up ahead will take me and my ministry a different direction. I hope to continue to blog, to share my thoughts about God, His work, my place in that work, and my thoughts on His word and His will. He means too much for me, to stop expressing all that He provides, in both the challenges and with the wind in my face on those downhill runs.

The name of the blog will change; I will seek a new place to park it. In the future a new lead pastor will pick up the cause or vision and us this platform to encourage and lift those who serve and are concerned about Velocity Church.

I am grateful for the opportunity to share in the task of a transition of creating a new church out of an old church. Many, many people worked hard, prayed a lot and served faithfully over the last several years. And many of those same are on board for the next ride of Velocity’s future.

Please pray for my next steps. The curve up ahead could bring the next exciting downhill of my life or it could only mark more time to wait till God directs. In either case, I seek His will, not mine, so I am content with what comes. This doesn’t mean I am not out there knocking on doors of opportunity, which I am. God opens doors, but sometimes we must do some knocking!!

Velocity meets at the Taylor Farm Park this Sunday and next Sunday. We also have a special informational meeting on July 19th at 7:00 pm at the office for a question and answer period with the new leadership. You are invited to this meeting. Till then, I am still climbing and seeking what God has behind this curve that I see just ahead.

PWS