A LITTLE TIME AWAY

Devotional By Dennis Reynolds

On more days than not, I receive over a hundred phone calls, fifty to sixty text messages, and a couple hundred emails. This is not an exaggeration, and it can be horribly stressful. Then, there are the day-to-day issues with my family, the people who are working for me, and within our ministry.

There are times when I feel as though I am standing in a river on a rock, on my tip toes, with the water level just between my top lip and my nose. The current is rushing by and trying to push me off that rock, and at any second, if I lose my focus, I’ll be swept away to drown.

Like many of you, there are times when I just need a day in the saddle, with a few brothers, and no agenda.

Early on the morning of the Martin Luther King Jr holiday, I climbed on my Street Glide and headed out to meet some of my friends for a day of riding and fellowship. We had no plan, no direction in mind, and no certain time to be home. I had forwarded my calls to my lead technician, dropped my work phone into my saddlebag, and had no plans to retrieve it until I arrived back home that evening.

A local Family Dollar parking lot is our usual meeting place as it is centrally located and easily accessible. We loosely chose Brevard North Carolina for our destination which was a couple of hours away. The route provided quite a few twisty mountain roads to ride, which is what we were looking for. We decided if we made it there, that was fine, if not, no big deal.

It always amazes me how a simple day ride through some beautiful countryside can ease tensions and turmoil. As the turns came and went, my stress level dropped to a minimum and allowed me the opportunity to reflect on more important things. Gone were the barrage of emails, constant work-related phone calls and texts, and the day-to-day rigors of being a people manager, and in their place was a peace that can only come from time spent enjoying the beauty of God’s creation.

We eventually made it to Brevard where we sat down for a fantastic meal at the Hawg Wild Barbecue restaurant. Great friends, great food, and a great ride! Not wishing to give up such an awesome day too soon, we decided on a longer route home which would provide more twisties, mountain scenery, and stress relief.

That evening, I sat down with my Bible and read from God’s word. While reflecting on the wonderful day we had, I was able to offer prayers of thanks to God for the blessing of being able to get out and ride.

Between our jobs, our kids, and maintaining our personal lives there seems to be a never-ending cycle that causes us worry. Will the bills get paid? Can I afford the home repairs? Who is going to take the kids to soccer practice?

With all the stuff of life constantly bombarding us, sometimes we need to take a break and just get away.

Jesus was well acquainted with stress. Everywhere he traveled, people were coming to him in droves. He was simultaneously preaching to crowds in the thousands, healing the sick and afflicted, casting out demons, and teaching those who traveled with him. He could not walk in the streets without people wanting to get near him and touch him. The political and religious leaders of the day were plotting against him. Everyone wanted something from him.

Even though he was the Savior of the world, he was also fully human and felt the same frustrations with life that we do.

So, how did Jesus deal with stress? What did he do to cope with all the things that were coming against him? The answers to those questions are found in the pages of the Holy Bible.

Jesus regularly took opportunities to visit places where he could get away from the rat race that was his life. He often went off by himself and just spend time alone with God. He would sit and rest, pray, and recharge his batteries.

We may think we can handle everything that life throws at us and just keep going, but that is not the case. We need to take time to slow down, disconnect from the things that cause us stress, and just unwind. For me, that usually consists of a day ride with friends. For you it could be a fishing trip, or even an afternoon drive out into the country. Just remember, whatever you do, include God in your plans, because He is the ultimate cure for everything that ails us.

“The news about him, spread all the more, so that crowds of people came to hear him and to be healed of their sicknesses. But Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.”

Luke 5:15-16 NIV

Ride on and stay safe, Dennis Reynolds

Mideast Regional Elder Bikers for Christ

M/M