To Move Forward, You Need to Keep on Going

I confess that I have been living a sedentary lifestyle for more than a year now. Aside from occasional walks from home to office (less than 20 minute), I can’t think of any other physical activity that I’ve done in the past months aside from running… out of budget. Haha! 

When a planned weekend schedule got cancelled, I was given a chance to catch up with my nearly-forgotten hobby which is biking. I asked my friends if we could go on biking and luckily they were available. So off we go! 

At first, we thought of visiting Divisoria and see for ourselves how it has changed. But since I know I don’t have that much stamina for such a long ride, I suggested that we go to UP instead. So after a heartwarming meal at the famous breakfast spot at Riverpark, we pedaled our way to the Animal Trail, then to Katipunan, until we reached UP Oval. 

Call it corny but while pedaling, it almost feels like I am reunited with a longtime friend. I missed the feeling of rushing air blowing in my face as if it caresses me, the excitement of pedaling on a busy highway, and the joy of taking short rests whenever you feel like you’re gasping for air because of tiredness.

(Top Left) Breakfast choices at Riverpark; (Top Right) My church and biking friends; (Lower Right) A shot from UP oval

As soon as you turn into an adult, you’ll realize that your responsibilities cram into your limited schedule and you are forced to squeeze in everything you can without hurting yourself in the process. You need to balance work, leisure, ministry, personal and family schedules. To most of us, this juggling process is not an easy thing to do. The perfect work-life balance remains an elusive idea. But is it? 

“We must work the works of him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.” - John 9:4

They say that while we are young, we have a lot of time and energy but very limited money. Then as we grow a little older, we acquire the money that we need and still have our youthful energy, but we got limited time. Then when we get older when we may still have money in our pockets, and now a lot of time but very limited energy to do things.

So, here’s the catch: we need to learn how to maximize our time, energy and resources whatever season we are in. I have written about how I manage working in a tight schedule. But though I have developed a paradigm to follow when errands keep flocking towards me, it hit me hard that being an adult is not just about ticking checkboxes on your list of TO DOs. Wisdom is key. Work-life is often skewed, and most of the time skewed towards the former. Knowing this fact, I believe that instead of complaining, we can always strive to be effective in our work and appreciate all the pockets of leisure time that is given us from time to time.

“Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time.” - Colossians 4:5

Our time here on earth is limited, and as we race against our timeline, we need not waste our opportunities on things that doesn’t matter. So, focus on what’s important: know and serve the Lord, make friends, build and strengthen your family, acquire learning, improve yourself, be a champion to other people, leave a legacy, bring people to Christ.

People look at our strengths and achievements as inspiration and encouragement. Our mistakes and weaknesses serve as their Exhibit A for their personal life lessons. We are not always on our own. The question is are we a good testimony to them or not?

“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” - 2 Corinthians 9:8

The thing about our struggles in life is that God can use them as platforms for His glory. At times we find ourselves confused in many things, but God guides us along the way. We are not alone. Even in times of weakness and confusion, in times of pain and directionless pursuit of certain things, God’s grace is sufficient. But this doesn’t mean that we can be complacently haphazard in making decisions.

We may not be able to understand completely why some aspects of life have to be difficult but we know in those difficult seasons God is there with us. All he requires us is to trust Him completely. 

My ever trusted Mini

Forget about the things you regretted not doing in the past, and let go of your worries for the future. Just keep on going. There’s a saying that life is like riding a bicycle, to keep your balance, you need to keep moving. The road will not always be smooth, and the ride will tire us out. But we can be sure with God as our focus, we are not pedaling towards uncertainty.