Ride for Refuge: Safe
It was a perfect day. My buddy David and I were hanging out. We were soaking up the warmth of the sweet summer sun at the campground, knowing all we had was time — no to-do list. Time to spend doing nothing was so wonderful as David and I didn't get to hang out much other than at the campground where we spent a great deal of our summers growing up.
Yes, it was a perfect day. A perfect day to do whatever wild, crazy, and adventurous thing that entered into our pre-adolescent minds. I'm not sure how we stumbled upon the ingenious idea to take the rowboat out onto the lake, nevertheless, it seemed like a brilliant plan at the time. After all, two young “men” out on the lake in a rowboat looking for adventure… What could possibly go wrong?!
We were oblivious to anything going on around us. We were simply having the time of our lives. We would take turns at the oars and then, sometimes, we would each take an oar, which resulted in us only going in circles. But we didn't care, we were having glorious fun and that's all that mattered.
I don't know how long we were out on the water and I don't remember where we adventured to. It was just two men against the deep. Yet, as we were living out our best adventure, neither one of us took notice of the dark clouds starting to roll in. It did not take long before the sweet summer sun was shrouded by dark storm clouds. A large clap of thunder boomed, signalling to us that maybe we should start heading back to shore. Not long after the thunder came the unsettling flashes of lightning. Our leisurely rowing of the boat then began to take on more of an urgent effort. Then came the wind and rain. No, not rain, a torrential downpour. The situation we found ourselves in was worsened as the warm rain hitting the cool lake water created a fog that wrapped around us like a thick, heavy blanket, causing us to forget we were just a little ways out from shore. We might as well have been in the middle of the ocean as all we felt was a deep fear and darkening isolation.
Just when we thought we were totally lost, we heard a voice… a familiar voice… my father's voice calling out to us by name beckoning us to safety. As my father yelled out to us, we were able to row in the direction of his voice. Before long, we could see the faint outline of my father standing on the end of the dock from where we began our ill-fated voyage. Eventually, we felt him take hold of the boat which allowed us to safely step out onto the dock… solid ground. I do not remember my father being angry, but I do remember the feeling of being safe.
There are many that we cross paths with everyday who are experiencing fear and isolation. Perhaps that person is you. David and I discovered in our boat that fear and isolation are terrible navigators.
As Joshua, who succeeded Moses as the leader of the Israelites, was to lead the people into a strange new land; they felt anything but safe. However, this is what God said to them: "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” (Joshua 1:9 NIV). When you are in the storm and fear and isolation are at the oars leading you to nowhere but lost, do not lose hope as God our Father is calling you… by name. You are not alone and He is present to be that place of safety.
This the heartbeat of Ride for Refuge and why I am riding on September 23rd — to provide a voice of safety to those who are caught up in the storm. May every kilometre walked or ridden make someone's journey to safety just a little bit shorter. All people need hope, safety, and freedom.
I would love for you to join me in The Ride (bike 10k or walk 2.5-5k) and raise awareness and funds for the ministries of Ripple of Us.
