I got a call this weekend from my cycling buddy, Larry.  He asked if I was going to ride the 100 miler in Ky on Memorial Day weekend.  I responded with the obvious response, "Are you??"  You see it has been nearly 3 weeks since I was on the bike.  I was sick, got busy, the usual excuses.  Now I was faced with commitment time.  I had a month to get ready which is not enough time to be in shape to ride it comfortably, but is just barely enough time to get in enough shape to ride it and survive.

I find myself facing this basic scenario in life quite frequently.  Will I do something even though I am not fully prepared.  Can I be a God honoring husband?  Will I be a wise father?  Can I take on a new responsibility at work?  Will I be the executor of a parent's estate?  Will I teach my child a Biblical worldview?  Will I accept the invitation to move to a leadership position in the church.  Will I care for an infirm parent?  Will I coach my child's team? 

When I am faced with these types of questions, my first response is usually to feel inadequate.  What do I know about coaching, being a husband or father, or closing out an estate?  (How can I expect to ride 100 miles without months of training), but as I get more experienced in life (yes that means old!) I am learning that God uses me regardless of my level of ability or knowledge.  In other words, I am not sure God wants me to feel adequate on my own.

Now I am straying far away from bicycling here, but the fact is that once I feel adequate at some area of life, I have a very bad habit of no longer looking to God for guidance in that area.  Maybe it is just part of being human, but it results in less reliance on Jesus.  I see why God continually allows struggles/trials into my life.  Much of it is to help me continually refocus on him.

Of course I can't blame God for all the struggles I face.  I am to blame for most of it.  Like not getting on the bike for 3 weeks leading up to a big ride.  Choices, choices, choices.  Do you think I ought to ride the 100 miler?