What I thought this bike ride would be like and what I started to learn about it, differed somewhat. In some ways it reminded me of my initial approach to the Bible.
What I envisioned
Prior to the ride I thought the journey would be pleasant, that I would be fine. I’d seen the downhill path along the side of the road. How hard could it be? It was downhill. The path looked pleasant. I envisioned a boardwalk, promenade, leisurely stroll. You know, those bikes in the movies with a basket full of flowers on the front. Think leisure. Okay, so maybe I was also thinking lazy, effortless, gentle, meandering in a noncommittal way.
A verse or phrase
I like words. When it came to the Bible, I liked Scripture in short batches. A verse or phrase on a journal page or in a picture frame. The 23rd Psalm on a bookmark. I had time to read that. Not whole chapters or books of the Bible.
In church I heard selections from Scripture. At some point during the worship service a Scripture passage or two would be read. I always experienced Scripture in small segments, not in lengthy installments.
And because I tended to experience information from the Bible in limited quantities, I didn’t try to grasp the bigger picture or even anything beyond a few phrases at a time.
What I thought
My introduction to the bike ride was through posters and brochures. Somehow the images didn’t register. I had kept my own concept in my head of what I thought it was going to be like.
It wasn’t that. Whatever I thought it would be like, it wasn’t. Whatever I had imagined would be my experience. It wasn’t.
Something significant
Not long before the ride I started to read some information about the bike ride, to be better informed. I saw all these comments about a tunnel. By the tone and the telling it seemed to be something significant. I’ve been through a lot of tunnels, in a car. I think I’d ridden through one on a bike. (I’m just now remembering I’ve been through many really long tunnels on a train. I never made that connection until now.)
But back to my experience and recollection prior to the ride. Tunnels were no big deal. You go in, you come out. They’re dark inside but after a short curve you can see the daylight at the other end. End of story. Tunnels were no problem. Why did this one sound like it was going to be a problem?
Question
What were some of your initial experiences with Scripture or what unexpected journey have you faced?
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