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You Are Not Alone


                On the fifth day of a nine-day motorcycle trip to Wisconsin, my clutch cable broke in the middle of nowhere.  I was alone and not sure what to do.  Typically, my first response would have been anger at the fact that my holiday was ruined or worry about how I was going to get home.  However, this time was different.

               After looking at Google Maps, I made my way to the nearest little town and found an O’Reilly Auto Parts store.  The manager said, “We can fix this!”  Not only did he sell me a cable repair kit, but he also called a buddy of his to come over and install it for me.  Within two hours, my motorcycle was patched up and I was back on the road.

               Another factor that made me feel better was that someone was waiting for me.  My favourite motorcycle journalist, a man named Peter Egan, had invited me to his house just outside Madison, Wisconsin.  When my bike broke down, I called to tell him that I would be late and he said, “If you need me to get parts for you, just let me know”.   His willingness to help was reassuring.

               Eventually, I made it to Peter’s house.  After a great afternoon of visiting and storytelling, I loaded up to start the fourteen-hundred-kilometre ride back home.  Peter said, “If you have any more trouble, call me.  I will come and get you”.   After three days of riding, I made it home safe and sound.  The repaired clutch cable held together, and everything was fine.

               Reflecting on this experience, I wondered why I reacted so calmly when I was in such big trouble.   The answer is obvious.  I did not panic because I did not feel alone.  Everything seemed fine because I had help. 

               Life is scary when you feel alone.  Worries and fears pile up when you think that you are responsible for everything by yourself.  Too often I live a panicked and fearful life because I forget that I have help.  The good news is that we are never alone.  We have a God who loves us, cares for us and is with us.

               Ephesians 3:20 reminds us, “God can do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us”.

               That changes everything.

 

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