Part Five: “The Hill is Flat”

“Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.” Matthew 6:34

When I was in my twenties, I competed in about a half-dozen mountain bike races. I knew that the only way to test my strength and stamina was in competition against complete strangers.

In 2008, I signed up for a race in northern Michigan called the “Ore to Shore”. I was told by a co-worker that this race would have a lot of fast dirt road sections and long gradual climbs. So, I trained hard for weeks just for those conditions…especially the climbs.

As I climbed trail after trail, I began to do something that has remained with me to this day. Rather than look up toward the top of the hill which seemed miles away and daunting, I began only looking about six feet ahead of me, ignoring the distance left to climb.

At the same time, I began to tell myself that “there is no hill, the hill is flat”. I began to imagine that those six feet ahead of me were actually flat…so how could I be pedaling so slowly on flat ground?

Guess what happened? I began to climb markedly faster when I took my eyes of the top of the hill and simply focused on the small section in front of me. I climbed those hills in six foot “flat” portions, and when I got to the top it was simply a nice surprise for my legs and lungs.

When race day came, I was ready. The first section featured a mile long, paved climb up the local highway. I only glanced ahead to get my bearings, then focused down on the road in front of me, telling myself “the road is flat, so pedal accordingly”.

I rode past riders like they were standing still! I never thought such speed would happen for me. I wasn’t tired or gasping for air, just churning steadily along my own “flat road” as others labored uphill. When I reached the finish line 25 miles later, I recorded my best ever time in a race.

If you have Christ, then your finish line victory is already secured in the future. Don’t get overwhelmed by the big trials ahead of you, just faithfully climb towards Christ one day at a time. In Christ, you have power and strength available to you that defies worldly logic, rationale, and earthly wisdom…do you seek Him for such power?

“Lord, please help me to conquer my uphill battles today. When the world, my flesh, and the devil tell me that it’s just too difficult, give me power and stamina to handle today’s trials easily…one moment at a time, until victory comes. Please make my climbs today feel like flats, for the glory of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.”