Yesterday was just my second outdoor Minnesota ride this season. The indoor training has been going well--lots of miles and feeling pretty good riding on the trainer in the basement and the garage. Yesterday brought a stiff wind out of the NW, so I planned the first half of my ride to go into the wind (so that I could have the wind assist on the way home). Needless to say, cycling in the real world of the outdoors was a different world than in the wind-free zone of my garage.
Every mile felt like a battle and every uphill was made even more challenging by the unrelenting headwind. There was no room for coasting, because even a momentary rest from pedaling brought a stunning decrease in forward speed. A pace that felt pretty easy and sustainable in the garage on the trainer felt like a lot of work out on the road.
I couldn't help but think that this was just one more area of life where the training zone or the classroom is--alone--inadequate preparation for the real world. How often has a parenting idea sounded like just the ticket, only to be shattered on the granite of my kids' stubbornness. How often has the most promising communication theory failed to translate into heart-to-heart sharing of thoughts and ideas.
How often has the faith concept from a sermon, a Bible study, or a book that seemed so elementary to integrate into my life proven to be like climbing a giant sand dune--sliding back five feet for every two gained. I shouldn't be surprised by this reality, but I wish that someone had the courage to tell us that it will not be as simple or as straightforward as it sounds. I wish that someone would be willing to risk saying that while Jesus may be the answer, that answer does not come without tremendous effort and perseverance.
Neither biking nor faith is all downhill and with the wind at your back. That you can count on!
Pressing on,
-Ken
The Persistent Journey -- toward authentic living in an inauthentic world
Sunday, April 24, 2011
Friday, March 4, 2011
When I close my eyes ...
I can be riding any place that I can imagine. If your basement is like mine, it is not the most picturesque place to spend a lot of time. But the basement is where my bike will fit on the trainer (and it is not yet outdoor riding weather here in Minnesota). I have worked up to riding 35-45 minutes at a time and the view has not changed. Since my bike is secured in a trainer it is not going anywhere. So I really don't need to watch where I am going. In fact, I can close my eyes and imagine riding wherever I want to ride.
My imaginary ride along the Mississippi River on County Road 39 is a fun one. So is my ride along the imaginary Greek coast (double the imagination for double the fun!). My longer rides along Pensacola Beach almost feel warm and sunny, with a slight flavor of salt spray in the air. Of course, these wonderful rides are only taking place in my mind. As much as the imaginary rides may serve to distract me from the fact that I am riding my bike in the basement, I do not go any place. You may be able to understand my imaginary riding now, but in the spring and summer, when it is actually nice enough to ride outside, you might think it odd if I continued to ride in the basement and just imagine being outside. More than odd, you might consider it a wasted opportunity.
Sometimes I wonder how often I settle for imaginary spiritual growth. It is relatively easy to "close my eyes" and imagine that I am going great places in my faith journey. I can recall heights and grand vistas that I have seen in decades past and can imagine being there again. But if I am really just "riding in the basement," then all of my imaginations are just wasted opportunities. The value comes from staying on the actual journey and making real progress--and not settling for an imaginary journey.
I have learned (but seemingly constantly need to be reminded) that the way for me to stay authentic on the journey is to regularly clamber out of the basement of study and thinking to meaningfully interact with real people with real spiritual questions and needs. A couple of weeks ago my small group (GSGE) from church went to serve a meal and assist with a worship service at a shelter in Minneapolis. The eye-opener for me was when two gentlemen with whom I was talking began sharing with each other the bus routes where the drivers allowed them to stay on the bus all night. I was dumbstruck as I realized that I have never had to be concerned for where I would sleep at night. I have never had to wonder whether I could find a warm place to spend the night. And what answers does God have for these folks? I felt clearly that a faith that only imagines that it is growing and vibrant has nothing to offer to the real challenges that real people face.
I can rehab my knee by riding in the basement, but I cannot meaningfully engage with a world in need if my spiritual growth is just imaginary. With a billion people in the world who live on less than one dollar each day and another two billion who live on less than five dollars each day, I must not be satisfied with imaginary growth.
One thing I know about biking in the basement. The first ride outdoors will come as a shock. I can remember from years past that I may feel like I have kept a pretty good fitness level, but that first ride, with hills and headwinds is a kicker. The realization causes me to want to work harder with my basement riding so that the first ride outdoors goes well. For the sake of real people facing real challenges my faith training MUST also go to the next level.
One place I am starting is to prayer for a different country each day. This way I am reminded that God is not all about me, but that I am to be all about the people He has created--everywhere. Operation World has a great resource www.operationworld.org/join_prayer-movement. From this page you can sign up to receive an email each day with a different country highlighted. I have been going for 64 days now and it has certainly gotten my heart and praying out of the "basement."
Join me out on the road?
-Ken
My imaginary ride along the Mississippi River on County Road 39 is a fun one. So is my ride along the imaginary Greek coast (double the imagination for double the fun!). My longer rides along Pensacola Beach almost feel warm and sunny, with a slight flavor of salt spray in the air. Of course, these wonderful rides are only taking place in my mind. As much as the imaginary rides may serve to distract me from the fact that I am riding my bike in the basement, I do not go any place. You may be able to understand my imaginary riding now, but in the spring and summer, when it is actually nice enough to ride outside, you might think it odd if I continued to ride in the basement and just imagine being outside. More than odd, you might consider it a wasted opportunity.
Sometimes I wonder how often I settle for imaginary spiritual growth. It is relatively easy to "close my eyes" and imagine that I am going great places in my faith journey. I can recall heights and grand vistas that I have seen in decades past and can imagine being there again. But if I am really just "riding in the basement," then all of my imaginations are just wasted opportunities. The value comes from staying on the actual journey and making real progress--and not settling for an imaginary journey.
I have learned (but seemingly constantly need to be reminded) that the way for me to stay authentic on the journey is to regularly clamber out of the basement of study and thinking to meaningfully interact with real people with real spiritual questions and needs. A couple of weeks ago my small group (GSGE) from church went to serve a meal and assist with a worship service at a shelter in Minneapolis. The eye-opener for me was when two gentlemen with whom I was talking began sharing with each other the bus routes where the drivers allowed them to stay on the bus all night. I was dumbstruck as I realized that I have never had to be concerned for where I would sleep at night. I have never had to wonder whether I could find a warm place to spend the night. And what answers does God have for these folks? I felt clearly that a faith that only imagines that it is growing and vibrant has nothing to offer to the real challenges that real people face.
I can rehab my knee by riding in the basement, but I cannot meaningfully engage with a world in need if my spiritual growth is just imaginary. With a billion people in the world who live on less than one dollar each day and another two billion who live on less than five dollars each day, I must not be satisfied with imaginary growth.
One thing I know about biking in the basement. The first ride outdoors will come as a shock. I can remember from years past that I may feel like I have kept a pretty good fitness level, but that first ride, with hills and headwinds is a kicker. The realization causes me to want to work harder with my basement riding so that the first ride outdoors goes well. For the sake of real people facing real challenges my faith training MUST also go to the next level.
One place I am starting is to prayer for a different country each day. This way I am reminded that God is not all about me, but that I am to be all about the people He has created--everywhere. Operation World has a great resource www.operationworld.org/join_prayer-movement. From this page you can sign up to receive an email each day with a different country highlighted. I have been going for 64 days now and it has certainly gotten my heart and praying out of the "basement."
Join me out on the road?
-Ken
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Time to Grow Up
The Wisconsin and Indiana legislatures are not teaching the lesson that I would want my kids to learn. The lesson they seem to be teaching is, "If the game is not going your way, then take your ball and go home." What ever happened to fight the good fight, play hard until the final buzzer, and run through the finish line? The essence of good sportsmanship is also the essence of good politics.
Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if every Big Ten basketball team simply left the court whenever they got behind Ohio State by 15 points? Or if teams in the ACC refused to come out of the locker room for the second half just because Duke or UNC was sure to win in the end? We chuckle because such a thing would never happen. The players on the opposing team have too much self-respect and sense of honor. They will play by the rules. That, and if they refuse to play, they will simply forfeit.
The political problem in Wisconsin and Indiana is that no one can declare a forfeit. The absent legislators have the power--misused as it is--to bring the machine to a grinding halt. But having the power does not mean that it is right or proper to use that power.
I can only imagine the rhetoric if it were the other side who had simply walked away and refused to play. They would be painted as villains who were not willing to play by the rules. Wasn't it President Obama himself who said, "Elections have consequences."? If the Wisconsin and Indiana democrats don't like the consequences of the election, then, like honorable legislators for generations before them, they should make their best case to persuade their colleagues, and if that fails, they should take their case to the voters of Wisconsin and Indiana in 2012 and try to return their party to a place where they can pass or block (legitimately) the bills that they care about. Running away solves nothing.
I know the frustration of playing a superior team and having absolutely no reasonable chance of winning. I know how it feels to step into the batter's box where my only hope of getting on base was to get hit by a pitch. I know how it feels to stand at the starting line and know that unless the guy next to me falls, he will finish the 110 meter hurdles while I am still running hard. But I still played. I still batted. I still ran. And if I lost that game or race, it was a driver to get better. Because there would be a next time.
I know the utter frustration of seeing legislation debated and passed that I believe is horribly unfair, unjust, or plain bad for my state or our country. But the answer is not to run away. The honorable response is to do what I can to elect representatives who will support an agenda that I believe is good for Minnesota and for America. To stay in the game. To make my best case. To win or to lose with honor and dignity.
But running away? Grow up kids!
-Ken
Can you imagine the chaos that would ensue if every Big Ten basketball team simply left the court whenever they got behind Ohio State by 15 points? Or if teams in the ACC refused to come out of the locker room for the second half just because Duke or UNC was sure to win in the end? We chuckle because such a thing would never happen. The players on the opposing team have too much self-respect and sense of honor. They will play by the rules. That, and if they refuse to play, they will simply forfeit.
The political problem in Wisconsin and Indiana is that no one can declare a forfeit. The absent legislators have the power--misused as it is--to bring the machine to a grinding halt. But having the power does not mean that it is right or proper to use that power.
I can only imagine the rhetoric if it were the other side who had simply walked away and refused to play. They would be painted as villains who were not willing to play by the rules. Wasn't it President Obama himself who said, "Elections have consequences."? If the Wisconsin and Indiana democrats don't like the consequences of the election, then, like honorable legislators for generations before them, they should make their best case to persuade their colleagues, and if that fails, they should take their case to the voters of Wisconsin and Indiana in 2012 and try to return their party to a place where they can pass or block (legitimately) the bills that they care about. Running away solves nothing.
I know the frustration of playing a superior team and having absolutely no reasonable chance of winning. I know how it feels to step into the batter's box where my only hope of getting on base was to get hit by a pitch. I know how it feels to stand at the starting line and know that unless the guy next to me falls, he will finish the 110 meter hurdles while I am still running hard. But I still played. I still batted. I still ran. And if I lost that game or race, it was a driver to get better. Because there would be a next time.
I know the utter frustration of seeing legislation debated and passed that I believe is horribly unfair, unjust, or plain bad for my state or our country. But the answer is not to run away. The honorable response is to do what I can to elect representatives who will support an agenda that I believe is good for Minnesota and for America. To stay in the game. To make my best case. To win or to lose with honor and dignity.
But running away? Grow up kids!
-Ken
Monday, February 14, 2011
Right Foot First
For my whole life I have been a "right foot first" guy. You know, putting on pants and shorts--right foot in first. For the past week and a half I have needed to become a left foot first guy--and it has not always been an easy adjustment. "Right," you say, "how hard can it be to use a different foot first when you are getting dressed?" Apparently harder for me than I would have thought two weeks ago.
Since my left leg doesn't bend quite as much yet as it eventually will, I have to put my left foot in first, then follow with the right. But the right foot first way of doing things is so ingrained that more than once I have gone right foot first, only to struggle to reach the left. Then you know what comes next--right foot back out and left foot first.
Do you recall back in school when the kid who broke his dominant arm had a tough time? The left-handed kid had to learn how to eat and write with his other hand. The right-handed girl had to figure out how to brush her teeth and hair from the other side. (Think it is easy? Next time, try brushing your teeth with the other hand.)
Old habits die hard. Patterns of behavior can be changed, but not without an effort commensurate with the length of time the behavior has been a habit. Not only effort, but some measure of time. The person who has mostly sat on the sidelines and watched for years will not suddenly become a fit and fast 10k runner. No matter how well intentioned. The person who has not read a book in years will not suddenly become the star of the book club. The instrument owner does not become the musician just by taking the horn out of the case. The person who has made a habit of living far from God doesn't become Mother Teresa overnight.
The challenge of changing habit patterns is to stick with it long enough, and with enough energy, to make it last. The temptation is to quit too soon. Because it may be difficult and the results are not instantaneous.
Patience is not my strong suit, but in my knee rehab, my faith, and the rest of life, I must be patient and invest the time and energy to own my new and healthier habits. Then the new, better habit will be even stronger than the old one.
Pressing On,
-Ken
Since my left leg doesn't bend quite as much yet as it eventually will, I have to put my left foot in first, then follow with the right. But the right foot first way of doing things is so ingrained that more than once I have gone right foot first, only to struggle to reach the left. Then you know what comes next--right foot back out and left foot first.
Do you recall back in school when the kid who broke his dominant arm had a tough time? The left-handed kid had to learn how to eat and write with his other hand. The right-handed girl had to figure out how to brush her teeth and hair from the other side. (Think it is easy? Next time, try brushing your teeth with the other hand.)
Old habits die hard. Patterns of behavior can be changed, but not without an effort commensurate with the length of time the behavior has been a habit. Not only effort, but some measure of time. The person who has mostly sat on the sidelines and watched for years will not suddenly become a fit and fast 10k runner. No matter how well intentioned. The person who has not read a book in years will not suddenly become the star of the book club. The instrument owner does not become the musician just by taking the horn out of the case. The person who has made a habit of living far from God doesn't become Mother Teresa overnight.
The challenge of changing habit patterns is to stick with it long enough, and with enough energy, to make it last. The temptation is to quit too soon. Because it may be difficult and the results are not instantaneous.
Patience is not my strong suit, but in my knee rehab, my faith, and the rest of life, I must be patient and invest the time and energy to own my new and healthier habits. Then the new, better habit will be even stronger than the old one.
Pressing On,
-Ken
Friday, February 11, 2011
The First Bite
This morning I managed to get the bike pedal all the way around. That may not seem impressive at all to those who learned to ride a bike at age 4, but for those who have wrestled with "range of motion" it makes sense why it is an accomplishment worth noting. I am not supposed to have any real resistance quite yet, but the biking motion is supposed to keep the fluids from pooling in the joint and also start rebuilding some strength.
Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it is a very small step. I would much prefer to be getting on the bike to ride hard for an hour or so, but right now that is not prudent (and maybe not possible). I am not by nature very patient with myself and my limitations, so this will be a test. But without these small steps that seem so little, there will be no real progress, healing, or movement toward real health.
I wonder how often I have started some discipline that would be of great benefit in the long run, but have abandoned the effort early on because it seemed to be so small or the end goal so far off? In my mind I know that "the longest journey begins with a single step" and "the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time." But sometimes I get paralyzed by the enormity of the ultimate task rather than the progress of each small step in the right direction. A better approach for me would be to celebrate that I rode this morning, rather than looking at how far out of condition I feel or how many mornings it will take to get back to full activity.
My faith journey is a similar experience ion some ways. At times it is almost paralyzing to think about how far I have yet to go in pursuing Christlikeness. My shortcomings loom far larger than the gold stars marking my progress. But I wonder if it would be healthier to focus more on today's progress than on tomorrow's spiritual To-Do list. Today I can only do something about today. Tomorrow I can work on tomorrow's To-Do list.
If running and biking are any example, it won't be long before a focus on what needs to be done today will both keep me plenty busy and also give me enough progress to celebrate tomorrow.
Working on Enjoying the Elephant,
-Ken
Yet, in the grand scheme of things, it is a very small step. I would much prefer to be getting on the bike to ride hard for an hour or so, but right now that is not prudent (and maybe not possible). I am not by nature very patient with myself and my limitations, so this will be a test. But without these small steps that seem so little, there will be no real progress, healing, or movement toward real health.
I wonder how often I have started some discipline that would be of great benefit in the long run, but have abandoned the effort early on because it seemed to be so small or the end goal so far off? In my mind I know that "the longest journey begins with a single step" and "the way to eat an elephant is one bite at a time." But sometimes I get paralyzed by the enormity of the ultimate task rather than the progress of each small step in the right direction. A better approach for me would be to celebrate that I rode this morning, rather than looking at how far out of condition I feel or how many mornings it will take to get back to full activity.
My faith journey is a similar experience ion some ways. At times it is almost paralyzing to think about how far I have yet to go in pursuing Christlikeness. My shortcomings loom far larger than the gold stars marking my progress. But I wonder if it would be healthier to focus more on today's progress than on tomorrow's spiritual To-Do list. Today I can only do something about today. Tomorrow I can work on tomorrow's To-Do list.
If running and biking are any example, it won't be long before a focus on what needs to be done today will both keep me plenty busy and also give me enough progress to celebrate tomorrow.
Working on Enjoying the Elephant,
-Ken
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