WHEEL POWER

Years ago, before 2003, I pedaled from Cartersville to Athens. The event was the Ride For The Family sponsored by Focus On The Family. It was a three day event with somewhere around 200+ miles of the ups and downs of North Georgia. While on the ride I met Judy Bowman and spoke with her as we pedaled. She is a Missionary to USA, a world record holder in cycling, had already pedaled across America fourteen times (at that point), and founder of WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists, headquartered in Lynchburg, Virginia. WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists is an evangelistic ministry spreading the Gospel in America and around the world on bicycles. It stands for: Witnessing, Helping, Evangelizing, Encouraging, and Loving as we Press OnWard to Eternal Rewards.

Judy is a winner in life as well as cycling. She hasn't always been that way but she is now. You can read about her life journey in her evangelistic tract entitled, "Can We Pedal Our Way To Heaven." You probably don't have a copy of her tract with you right now so for this blog I have copied her story. I believe it will be a challenge as we begin this new year.

Can We Pedal Our Way to Heaven?

Cycling is one of those things I like to do when I need a break from my daily responsibilities. It provides me with freedom from survival obligations: I can forget everything and enjoy the peacefulness that riding gives, plus it allows me the opportunity to think, dream, and be me.

There is a real joy in being out in the open, seeing God's creation up close, breathing the fresh air, and absorbing the beauty all around.

I find when I'm riding that I usually encounter many different types of terrain. Sometimes there is that flat, almost monotonous road that goes for miles without changing. At other times there are rolling hills that speed up the heart rate and make me work harder to reach my destination. And then there are those "impossible" grades that seem to go only UP and UP and UP!

HILLS AND MOUNTAINS IN LIFE

You know, I can't help but compare life to bike riding experiences. Many times in life we find ourselves gliding along at an easy, even pace with little changes and few challenges. We hope it will never end. But sure enough, a hill comes along and we have to climb it. Sometimes it's one we can get over without much difficulty. At other times, however, the hills become mountains that stretch up to the sky. We give it all we've got, but it's like we're barely making any progress.

Several years ago I was in the middle of such an "impossible"climb. I had recently been divorced and was trying to raise my small son by myself. Times were hard, there was little money, I was scared, and the demands seemed too great for me to handle alone.

TOUGH ON THE OUTSIDE . . . SCARED ON THE INSIDE

On the outside, everyone saw a tough human being, getting everything together, smiling, and happily living life. Deep inside, however, I was empty. I couldn't figure out the real purpose for living. I tried to fill my time with sports, people, and activities, but inside I was lonely.

I had grown up in a good home where I heard that there was a God, who supposedly cared about everything in my life. Yet, during those rough days it was hard for me to realize that there really was a God.

Then, one day, during a particularly difficult mountain I was facing, I called out to God and asked Him to help me and show me what to do. It wasn't long after that prayer that I became acquainted with several people who started sharing with me about a God who loves me, cares about every detail of my life, and had been waiting with open arms to receive me into His family.

NEW LIFE . . . NEW OUTLOOK

I realized that my emptiness could only be satisfied as I asked God to forgive me of my sins and fill my life with His love. I became a child of God that day and found the peace I had longed for. My life still has mountains, valleys, and hills, but the climb is easier because I don't have to go it alone. God is always with me.

God loves you, too, and has a wonderful plan for your life! His Son, Jesus Christ, came to earth to die in your place, took the consequences your sins deserve, and came back to life three days later. By simply accepting those facts and believing that God will credit Christ's death to your account, you can be forgiven like I was and receive eternal life, too! The Bible says, "Christ died for [your] sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God" (1 Peter 3:18).

All the pedaling you do, all the mountains you conquer in this life will not help you reach eternity with God in heaven. But by believing in Jesus Christ and trusting Him as your Savior from sin's eternal punishment, you can have eternal life with Him in heaven. "God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life" (John 3:16).

I know without a shadow of a doubt, on the authority of the Bible, that my eternity is going to be spent with God. I also know that my life has purpose and meaning because it is now guided and directed by the One who created me, loves me, and lives within me every day of my life.

It all started when I expressed my new belief to God in words like this: "Dear God, I admit I've sinned against you many times. But now I realize that Jesus died in my place and took the judgment I deserved. I accept your offer of forgiveness. From now on I'm trusting only in your Son, Jesus Christ, for eternal life. Thank you for making me one of your children."

My friend, I want you to know God too. Jesus Christ changed my life and has given me the peace, joy, and contentment I longed for. Please contact me if I can answer any questions, pray with you, or help you make the same discovery I did.

-Judy Bowman

Judy is still pedaling and organizing rides today. You can check out her ministry, WHEEL POWER Christian Cyclists, at www.WHEELPOWER.org. Take a look.

Pedal smarter not harder!