By Matt Martin
“But they who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.”
Isaiah 40:1 ESV
Isaiah 40:1 ESV
TOUR DE FRANCE
The Tour de France is the most well-known cycling race in the world—and for me, the only cycling race I have ever heard of! The race is held annually in—you guessed it—France and a few other countries on occasion. The Tour is a grueling multi-phase race held over the course of three weeks
“A Tour de France rider will burn enough calories during a six-hour mountain stage to fuel an average person's activity for two to four days.”
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In order to survive this intense journey, it is imperative that the riders re-fuel, constantly, in order to survive and compete.
[i]Riders who fail to properly replenish can “bonk-out” (run out of glycogen, the carbohydrate that fuels the muscles)[ii] and have to drop out of the race. In fact, calorie intake is so crucial riders spend nearly all waking hours consuming as many calories as possible, including the hours they ride. Further, Cycle teams support the riders by supplying food and water at various intervals throughout the race. The riders are handed shoulder-bags called Musette’s[iii], which are then shouldered by the riders who are able to continue refueling while they ride.
“TOUR DE LIFE”
As you know, the Christian life can be a grueling ride at times, just like the Tour de France. Often, we suffer from fatigue, burn-out and discouragement caused by neglecting proper renewal and replenishment and “bonk out” both physically and spiritually—easy to do!
…By the way, be encouraged, even Jesus was often exhausted and fatigued during his ministry, time, here on earth—He was human too!
“Jacob's well was there; so, Jesus, wearied as he was from his journey, was sitting beside the well…]”
John 4:6 ESV
I don’t need to remind you that the life of faith is a tough road that requires lots of endurance fueled by proper nourishment. Like Tour de France riders, God’s people need heavy doses of “spiritual” calories or we will run out of the necessary fuel to continue the race. A race, which at times can be grueling—unless you are going downhill 😊
THE ART OF SPIRITUAL RENEWAL
Spiritual renewal is both an individual and group task.
1. Be with God’s people: Tour de France riders rely on cycling teams to provide them with a constant supply of food and water. Bikers cannot survive alone and neither can believers! God has surrounded us with a tremendous spiritual support team to build us up and supply the fuels of help(s), encouragement and refreshment that we need.
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
I Thessalonians 5:11
2. Be alone with God: Tour de France riders spend a lot of time alone, both, in training and in competition. Because of the enormous calorie burn caused by the intense physical output of biking, learning to constantly consume high calorie foods and drinks is essential to success. Thus, being successful on the Christian’s journey requires time alone with our Heavenly Father in order to stay fueled for the intensity of the ride. Waiting, hoping and trusting in Him come from being with Him constantly and being replenished constantly by His Word and His by His power.
“But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”
Luke 5:16
CHALLENGE
CHALLENGE
1. Don't neglect being with God's people. You need them and they need you. Take time to be encouraged by others and to encourage them too!
"Do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
2. Don't neglect time alone in the Word of God and in prayer. Return to God daily for refreshment, nourishment and rest in His presence.
"Do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another--and all the more as you see the Day approaching."
Hebrews 10:25 NIV
2. Don't neglect time alone in the Word of God and in prayer. Return to God daily for refreshment, nourishment and rest in His presence.
“For thus said the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel,
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
“In returning and rest you shall be saved;
in quietness and in trust shall be your strength.” Isaiah 30:15
[i] http://www.forbes.com/sites/kevinmurnane/2016/07/18/fueling-the-peloton-in-the-tour-de-france/#383753b36946
[ii] http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-glossary/
[iii] http://www.cyclingnews.com/features/tour-de-france-glossary/
