When I spend time on a bike ride with my husband, I have time to unwind my mind. This morning, we rode 15 miles out in the country (where I prefer to ride- since I’m not a fan of city traffic).

Prior to suiting up, I listened to a church service by Pastor Steven Trint (livestream from Uganda). The words from John 10:10 really impacted me.

Part way into the ride, my heart became heavy with concerns weighing on me. First, a concern from work and then an even greater one closer to home started taunting me and stealing my joy and peace. I was in the smallest gear about to complete this steady climb up when a bee buzzed directly into my left ear. I shook my head to get him out of my hair/helmet net, which threw me off balance.

The very slow rate I was going made me wobble and go off the road. Thankfully, I was able to unclip my shoe before I fell over!

My loving husband was waiting for me to catch up. When he saw my tears and heard my story of being discouraged with worry about my concerns, he prayed for me right there. I told him about the sermon I had just heard and how I was attacked in my spirit the same way that the verse described Satan’s purpose.

His words were profound, “It’s not very often that you are admonished by the scripture and a few minutes later get a chance to practice it!!”

We rejoiced in God’s goodness to help me recognize this for what it was. We finished the ride with restored joy and peace- aka life abundantly (God’s purpose). Thanks Pastor Steve for making church applicable today : )

John 10:10 The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly. – John 10:10 (ESV)