Back in the Saddle (again)

I was a huge Aerosmith fan growing up.....in fact the first album I ever bought was "Rocks", and I always loved the song "Back in the Saddle". It was my anthem for getting back at it after time away from something. Last weekend, after six months away from my bike, I literally got back in the saddle - dusted off the Trek and took it for a 33 mile spin up the Parkway towards Craggy Mt. Not too long, but long enough to feel the burn of climbing pretty much straight up hill for a good 90 minutes before coming back down. It was the official start of my training for Ironman Wisconsin this September 12th. I knew that at some point, with Boston behind me, I needed to begin riding (long) to ensure I was prepared for the 112 mile bike portion of I-Man. Come in unprepared and the course will have you for lunch. I'm not a natural cyclist, I much prefer running, so the whole concept of getting back at the long rides isn't something I necessarily look forward to. But I know they are necessary. I made the conscious, easy decision to step away from riding last fall after the triathlon racing season but knew deep down this day would come. And it's a good thing my bike was right there waiting for me when I was ready to resume riding.

That's the really cool thing about being in a relationship with a loving God. We can stray, walk away, take time off from Him, but the fact remains He has never and won't ever step away from us. He's right there waiting for us, ready to take us back, ready to forgive the down time, waiting with open arms saying "OK, let's give it another go again - it's time to get back in the saddle". There is no judgement, and only His loving mercy and undeserved grace await us. He SO wants a relationship with us that He was willing to sacrifice His only Son to die on a cross that we may have eternal life with Him. But we must be willing to accept Him, enter into a relationship with Him, and then actively pursue (daily) that relationship with Him. Just as I must intentionally carve out the time each day to run/bike/swim as I prepare for IMW, I must also be intentional and disciplined about carving out time for my relationship with Him. And it's so reassuring knowing that He is always right there waiting for me to come back to Him.

"Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you. - Isaiah 54:10

"God has said, 'Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.'"
Hebrews 13:5