A Friend Like No Other

Yesterday I did a task I never imagined.  

I rode a bike for 50 miles!  My two friends and I went to Athi River base where they had done their DTS and where my world race group was stationed while in Kenya. 

I haven’t done a whole lot of physical activity like this since being in Kenya… and I don’t think I’ve ever rode this far. 

 I was hoping I wouldn’t drag the guys down…. They ride almost every day to get around town here in Kenya.  We made it to the base (25 miles) in about 2.5 hours. 

Kelly led, I stayed in the middle, and Kim rode behind or beside. 

Kelly would give updates of potholes ahead and keep track of how we were following. Kim would tell me to accelerate or change gears sometimes to make the ride easier. 

When he rode beside he would tell me what was coming up ahead, give encouragement, or give me motivation (like on the way home— no words were mentioned but a reminder that he was there and inspiration to keep peddling). 

At one point my back tire had a puncture and we had to walk for a bit to try to find someone to repair the tire. We walked together… no man falls behind.  

These different experiences just gave me a glimpse of the father and his heart…. Sometimes he leads us and warns us of dangers ahead. Other times he lets us do our thing but will give some small reminders to encourage us or direct us on the path we are going. Other times he’s walking right there hand in hand with us-  laying out the game plan or reminding us that he path we are walking on we aren’t doing it alone. 

Even though the puncture wasn’t my fault, I still felt bad.  I felt like I had let the guys down in a way. We had made it to the base in such good timing, and now we had a huge delay. It was a burden for them to deal with. 

How often do we sometimes feel like that in our walk with Christ too?  Maybe things of our own doing cause us to feel this way too.  Yet the guys never got angry. We were a pack.  And that’s how God feels too. Things that we do and mess up… things that happen to us that aren’t are fault. He sticks with us. Proverbs 17:17 became very clear this trip. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”

So remember, whether God is leading, nudging you from behind, or walking right beside you, he loves you and wants the best for you.  He’s for you, not against you.  You are never a burden to him. And he loves you beyond all measure. 

There is this song I’ve been listening too, and every time I listen I feel so much peace. I hope you enjoy it too!

 Natembea Nawe

Nikipoteza njia (If ever I should lose my way)

Kwa safari nimechagua (In this journey I have chosen)

Nisipokuwa na nguvu (If I don’t have any strength)

Niite, niite (Call to me, call to me)

Niongoze kwa neema (Lead me with Grace)

Nifunze kwa upole wako (Teach me with your gentleness)

Hata nikikosea (Even if I should make a mistake)

Nisaidie, nisaidie (Help me, help me)

Refrain:

Natamani kutembea nawe (I desire to walk with you)

Natamani kutembea nawe (I desire to walk with you)

Natamani kutembea nawe (I desire to walk with you)

Niongoze, niongoze (Lead me)

Sielewi njia hii (I’m not familiar with this path)

Nd’o maana nakuhitaji (That is why I need You)

Nakutegemea wewe (I depend on You)

Enda nami, enda nami (Go with me, go with me)

Nashindwa kukupa vyote (It’s hard to give You everything)

Hata hivyo nitaamini (Even so I’ll believe)

Kwani najua mwishowe (For I know at the end)

Kuna raha, kuna raha (There is joy, there is joy!)