Whenever I read that verse, it puts a smile on my face. “Whatever you do” — that means when you’re at work, at leisure, with family, or alone — at all times and in all circumstances you have a purpose. That purpose is to honor the Lord in “whatever you do” — including your hobbies and interests.
One of my passions is riding motorcycles. I started riding dirt-bikes when I was eight years old. My first dirt-bike was a Honda XR75. Here’s a pic of one that’s very similar to the bike I had as a kid.
As the years went on, I graduated from one bike to another, but the love of riding was always there. The time spent in the helmet thinking and the singular focus in controlling the machine makes riding therapeutic and thrilling. As a minister, I can relate to the fact that the great American preacher Jonathan Edwards would spend long hours on horseback, riding, thinking, praying, and sermonizing. I often do the same on the motorcycles. Here’s a pic of my current bike. A little bigger and a little more powerful than the XR75.
Back in 2010, I started thinking and praying about how this passion could be used for a purpose. I started attending some charity rides with different organizations. Then, in 2014, I approached a good friend, Brian Davis, about starting a charity ride for Baptist Children’s Homes of North Carolina. We started planning in 2015, and the Lord took it from there. In 2016, we set out on our first Ride to Clyde and the results have been a true blessing ever since. To date, the event has raised roughly 750K for the Baptist Children’s Homes.
This Wednesday, May 8th, we head out for the 9th Annual R2C. The ride culminates at the Broyhill Home in Clyde, NC. on Saturday, May 11th. The ride is always the Wednesday to Saturday before Mother’s Day weekend — a perfect time to raise money for kids who have, for whatever reason, been separated from their families. I’ll ask you to commit to one thing and consider two others. First, please commit to pray for the saftey of each rider (we have over 130 people on roughly 111 motorcycles). Second, please take the time to learn more about, and consider giving to, the Ride to Clyde here. Third, talk to the Lord and consider how to use your interests and passions for a purpose — “whatever you do… do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus.”
God before government,
Rit