Consider This: The Cost of Coasting

In the fall of 1989, when our Bible college and high school moved from North Weyburn, Saskatchewan to Dauphin, Manitoba, a bunch of us decided to mark the occasion by doing a torch relay. We built a bonfire at the old campus, lit a torch, put the torch on a mountain bike and headed to Dauphin.

For the first few hours, everyone was excited about riding the bike. Then the excitement wore off. Instead of getting on the bike and pedalling against the wind, some decided to stay in the nice warm van that was following along.

Eventually, we came to the Fort Qu’appelle hill. I was on the bike, and seeing this hill made me smile. It was long and steep, and the highway was in good condition. It was perfect for coasting! If I remember correctly, the driver of the van said that I was going more than 30 mph when I hit the bottom of the hill. It felt even faster. Coasting downhill was great!

However, there was a problem. Once the highway levelled out, I began to slow down. Eventually, I stopped. Then we had to do the hard work of riding the bike up and out of the valley again.

Coasting is fun while it lasts. However, it is not sustainable.

Many seem to believe that coasting is the goal! They dream of a time when they have no responsibilities and nothing to do. That is fun for a month or two, but eventually, we realize that coasting is not that interesting or challenging.

Everyone needs a reason to get out of bed in the morning. Everyone needs a challenge and a vision of something bigger than themselves. We are built to be contributors, not coasters.

“Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labour in the Lord is not in vain” (1 Corinthians 15:58).

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