Last Thursday, several people questioned my wisdom of riding the bike. It was dark and looked like rain. However, the Weather Network said there was only a 30% chance of rain. I decided to believe them.
They were mostly right. Between Grimsby and Beamsville a few sprinkles hit me but they were dried up by the time I got to Vineland. I escaped unwet.
I’m on the bike again this morning. There is nothing but brilliant sunshine in the forecast - accompanied of course with the high temps and high humidity. I’ve been asked, “Isn’t it too hot to ride?” My answer: “Only when you stop.” With a well-ventilated helmet and jacket, riding in the H&H isn’t that bad. Back in May when I was adding extra layers under my jacket, I kept telling myself, “Someday it will be hot.” Here it is.
It isn’t craziness to ride in all kinds of weather. If riding were weather dependent, then there would be few days indeed when the bike would see action. Admittedly, the less-than-ideal riding conditions can be less enjoyable than the perfect condition ones. On the upside, though, it is still a motorcycle ride. The ride is worth it.
Based on this experience, I’ve come up with a little maxim about life. Feel free to use in in speeches, toasts, family gatherings, etc. Here it is: “Into every heat and humidity, rain, cold, and darkness a little life must fall.” Isn’t that clever? (OK, not particularly, but hang with me for just a bit more.)
Wiser and greater minds have said the same thing with much more eloquence. “Carpe Diem!” was first uttered by Roman poet Horace in 23 BC. We know it in English as “Sieze the day!” Latin scholars tell us that Horace’s original meaning was “Pluck the day as it is ripe.” Somehow, “Sieze the day!” rolls off the tongue a little better. The point is the same: take advantage of the good things a day has to offer because they may not be there later.
My favourite Biblical philosopher, Solomon, encouraged the same kind of mindset. Here are some of his insights:
Consider the work of God:
who can make straight what he has made crooked?
In the day of prosperity be joyful,
and in the day of adversity consider:
God has made the one as well as the other,
so that man may not find out anything that will be after him. (Eccl. 7:13-14 ESV)
In the morning sow your seed,
and at evening withhold not your hand,
for you do not know which will prosper, this or that,
or whether both alike will be good.
Light is sweet,
and it is pleasant for the eyes to see the sun.
So if a person lives many years,
let him rejoice in them all;
but let him remember that the days of darkness will be many.
All that comes is vanity.
(Eccl. 11:6-8 ESV)
The end of the matter; all has been heard.
Fear God and keep his commandments,
for this is the whole duty of man. (Eccl. 12:13 ESV)
Solomon counsels us that it is wise to nurture a life perspective where we are grateful for the good times, but also aware there will be hard times. God is in them both. Into every heat and humidity, rain, cold and darkness a little life must fall. Living by faith does not exempt us from those realities, but it gives us purpose and an orientation for those realities.
As such, life is full of risks:
He who digs a pit will fall into it,
and a serpent will bite him who breaks through a wall.
He who quarries stones is hurt by them,
and he who splits logs is endangered by them. (Eccl. 10:8-9 ESV)A life well-lived understands there are no guarantees - at least not from the human perspective. It also embraces the truths that (a) God is working His purposes (our lack of knowledge and understanding is not a limitation to Him), and (b) we will be accountable for how we embrace life (sometimes we can choose poorly in our risk management).
Every day is still a gift from Him. It will be lived in His presence, under His caring and watchful gaze. It may not be a happy day, but it can be a grateful day. We may not feel the joy, but we can know the confidence that our Heavenly Father is caring for us.
Fall into life today - we may be surprised by what happens; He will not be!
