My Bike Challenge, Their Freedom
Read about why I chose a bike challenge for their freedom.
THIRST
My mouth was dry. All my muscles were aching and my target for the day was still far away. How could I forget my water?
I complained to God, upset with myself: “This is not fun anymore.” Then God reminded me again why I am doing this… “for their freedom”.
However, for a split second, I could put myself in their shoes. Thirsty. Aching muscles. Never-ending targets. As something broke in me, I pleaded to God to quench their thirst. I was reminded of Jesus’s words: “I was thirsty and you gave me a drink”. Am I really giving them a drink, Lord? The reality of their thirst is so far away from my understanding. Somewhere, most likely, not even far away from where I am cycling, a victim is yearning for a sip of refreshing water.
What am I doing about it?
As I looked at the ascending road ahead, my valor grew weak. How does this help the vulnerable woman and children amid modern-day slavery? The ones locked up in brothels all over the world. The ones working in sweatshops as child slaves, to satisfy our consumer needs.
Virtually cycling 1660km to reach the rescued girls in Zambia, has become one of the biggest challenges in my life. “My challenge, their freedom” echoes in my heart. Meanwhile, I feel the intense need for more victims’ freedom in every aching muscle as I cycle towards the goal. My tongue sticks to my palate as I imagine their thirst for freedom.
The image of the woman at the well came into my mind and I knew these victim’s thirst is deeper than just their physical need. I can only imagine that embedded in their severe suffering and humiliation is their spiritual thirst. Jesus said: “Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst – not ever. The water I give will be an artesian spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.”
My doubting questions from earlier were suddenly answered. This is my time, like Mordecai said to Esther: “And who knows but that you have come to the kingdom for such a time as this and for this very occasion.”
The virtual bike challenge is more than just cycling.
It is a fundraiser to help the Freedom Challenge projects all over Africa.
It’s a time of solitude and intersession.
It’s a time of putting myself in their shoes.
This challenge is a time to reflect.
It’s time to be the voice to the voiceless.
It’s a means to provide the victims of modern-day slavery a drink, to ensure their restoration and eternal quenching for their spiritual thirst.
This is why I embarked on a virtual bike challenge, for their freedom!
Read about another virtual challenge here, and be inspired to start your own challenge for their freedom.