If you’ve ever been a part of a group fitness class, you understand the need to arrive several minutes before the class begins, to secure the equipment needed to participate. As a new member of a gym in our community, I quickly learned this to be an essential discipline for the group cycling class. Several of the bikes used in the class are in disrepair, so I generally arrive thirty to forty minutes early to find one that works well. I enjoy riding and spend several minutes before class positioning the handle-bars and adjusting the height and forward distance of the seat. I simply want to ensure the bike I’m about to endure for the next hour is capable of offering me the smoothest ride possible.
This past week was no exception. I arrived early and spent several minutes preparing the bike. I anchored my water bottle and grabbed a towel, visualizing a challenging ride. As the class was about to begin, a woman came running into the room, looking a bit frazzled. I was peddling at a pretty good clip when she walked up to me aghast, “Oh no! You’re on my bike.”
Holding back a smart comment, I sat upright in the saddle and repeated what she said to make sure I heard her correctly, “I’m on YOUR bike?” I could see she was clearly distraught as she turned toward one of the few remaining, poorly working bikes. I felt troubled but wasn’t sure why I was struggling. Clearly, I had every right to this bike. I continued to peddle, attempting to ignore this woman frantically setting up her bike. I reasoned, “These bikes don’t belong to individual members. We are not allowed to reserve a particular bike or attach a name tag to one of our favorites. I hadn’t stolen anyone’s bike. I simply left home early enough to secure a good one.”
While defending my rightful position, I felt God nudge my heart, “I’m giving you an opportunity, Patty—an inroad into this woman’s journey. [Oh Thanks, God!] Will you trust me?” I got a hunch this class was about to get interesting; and if I could find the grace to respond, I might gain something far greater than muscle endurance.
I slipped off my seat and raced across the room where she was adjusting her seat, “Hey, there’s a bike over there all warmed up for you. Come on, let’s get it set up.” [PAUSE: Even as I write this, I know I sound incredibly noble. That may be the most comical element of this entire situation. If you know me well, you probably know I am not characterized by responding in this way. As the baby of six, I’ve never wrestled with standing my ground. As a fitness enthusiast, I’m pretty committed to ensuring the hour in the gym will be time well spent. I have a strong sense of justice and rank fairly low on the mercy scale. So—I can only chalk up this string of actions to a deep desire to respond to God’s invitation and see Him work. I’m just grateful that His voice was the loudest in my head!]
Three times during the class she looked over at me, her face beaming, and she mouthed the words, “THANK YOU.” I could hardly contain the gratitude coursing through my soul. I closed my eyes, recognizing the gift I had been given—He had chosen me to share in His joy.
God continuously pours out His love into our hearts and into our circumstances when we least deserve it and least expect it. It’s in these moments our hearts unfold to His kindness. Three times I heard her say, “Thank you.” Could she sense His love through me? And three times I heard Him say, “Just as you did for the least of these, you did it for me. THANK YOU.”
I felt keenly aware of my own inadequacy—why would the One who came and walked among us, laying down his life and His rights as God, choose one so governed by her own selfish desires to partner with him? Why would He invite her to share in His joy by providing her with an opportunity to lay down her life?
While spinning the peddles on my precarious bicycle, I discovered the shocking joy of finding my life by letting it go. I’m convinced God allows us to find our true selves incrementally when we respond to those daily, seemingly insignificant, unfair opportunities to lay our lives down.
I’m pretty sure that woman caught a glimpse of the Father’s love that day.
I certainly did.
I’m continually amazed at how often I see women in the group fitness classes I’m in -help other women out! I see ladies get out equipment for others who are running late – sharing dumbbells and bands when they run low- and using words of encouragement for all fitness levels! I don’t know what it is except likemindedness breeds victory! I too view this as an opportunity to show Gods love. Great story:)