Simple Living Update: Biking Works For Me!

Pausing after a nice day of riding

About a month ago I shared that I was investigating alternative forms of transportation so that I might decrease the amount of pollution I’m personally responsible for, save some money that would have gone to gasoline, and ultimately worship God by being in greater harmony with The Almighty’s “good” creation. While I’m still looking at three wheel scooters like the Automoto; other financial priorities let me know that right about now I don’t have “automoto” money.

While I’ve committed myself to walk much more than I ever have; sometimes I need a faster mode of transportation. So I figured I needed a bike. And as crazy as it sounds, I felt within myself that I wouldn’t have to buy a bike. I felt like a bike would show up to me without spending money. So I started sharing with friends that I needed one and in short time one showed up. I put the word out on my Facebook page that I needed a bicycle and by that evening I received a message that there was a two wheel ride with my name on it. The next morning I picked up this beautiful blue bike (Thanks Ron!) and spent much of last week riding it to and from local meetings.

Each of my bike rides to meetings last week seemed to have just enough hills and valleys to make the ride rigorous without it being overwhelming. I noticed my energy increasing as well as the week went on. I also began to move into an understanding of what Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove calls the “wisdom of stability.” There is something to being content where you are in a culture that’s always on the go. Riding a bike keeps you pretty centered and grounded within a certain community.

Riding my new blue bike has been such a blessing that this Sunday – the Sunday before the 40th Anniversary of Earth Day – I’m leading my church in having a “Walk, Bike, or Carpool Sunday.” I’m gently inviting members of our church to experience the great variety of blessings that come with embracing simplicity as a lifestyle. In addition to walking, biking, or carpooling this coming Sunday; we’ll also be commemorating Earth Day by breaking ground on our vegetable/herb garden, learning more about composting, and learning ways that we can augment our diets so that it’s tasty AND healthy…all during our morning worship.

I’ve never had the chance to ride a bike to worship before so I’m really looking forward to this Sunday. Hopefully, other members of the church and community will meet me on the road and we’ll ride into the sanctuary together. Sometimes you have to model the type of community that you’re praying and wishing for. This Sunday will grant us the opportunity to do just that.

See you on the road!

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Tags: Bike, biking, Christian, composting, Earth Day, Garden, herb, Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove, salvation, Simple Life, Simplicity, vegetable