Faith and Cycling

So I didn't make it to church today. Normally I attend Bandera Road Community Church (http://www.brcc.net/) but the last two weeks, I've ended up listening to the streaming audio of the sermon instead. For what its worth, its a really good one that encompassed Brian Welch (Formerly "Head" of Korn) and what it means to be in faith and walking in faith. Good sermon, especially when the point of that we absorb the things that we surround ourselves with.

Of course, this means that there is a tenant, basic to Judaism and Christianity, that becomes glaringly apparent. Genesis 1:26 (KJV) said "And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth." So, as I grow more aware of myself and where I am in the universe, and more importantly, this earth, I realize that, if Georgie Bush is right, and we are a Christian nation, founded in faith (he's not right, but lets run with this anyway) then we are the largest, more vile hypocritical of all the western nations. We lead in polluting, in gas consumption, in clear-cutting our own forests, and encouraging others to do the same.

So, as I do what I do, I realize that I am doing the best that I can do and still survive in today's world - I am minimizing my negative impact on the world. I am riding a bike to work (lets hear it for lowering my CO2 impact and oil leakage loss and etc) and living with less and more simply. Its amazing how it has simplified my life, which even though I'm broke, means I can focus more on family and God.

I think that, as a Christian soul, that I have a responsibility to minimize the pain in the world, and try to maximize the love. Its so easy to say that overused and underbelieved thing - "I'm Christian, I love everybody" - but for the vast majority of the SUV-driving, hawkish semi-faithful who don the Christian label on Sundays only this is the extent of their position. "I'm Christian" seems to be an instant pass to the Big Show when you die - but it's not. Saying it is not like declaring faith out loud. You can tell who is and who isn't really. For me, its forgiveness. God forgives, and so do I. The fake ones- they don't.

So what does this have to do with my bike? Well, I am stewarding the earth, as it were. I do my best not to contribute to the global warming scenario, I don't consume things just to have them. I am no longer a consumer - I am a conscientious person who is interested in making sure that there is an Earth worth keeping when my grandkids grow up.

I am the change I wish to see in the world. I will also start riding my bike to church.

Pedal on.

Mago