My high school volleyball career was essentially the pinnacle of my sporting career prior to Biking for Babies. I was blessed to have amazing coaches who taught me not just the game of volleyball, but many lessons that would shape the person I am today. My senior year, I was co-captain of a top 5 volleyball team in the state. Our road to the state tournament was anticipated, and in October, the only thing standing between us and the tournament was a team we had beaten 4 times earlier that season.
As it would turn out, the 5th time was the charm. For them.
My last competitive volleyball game ended with chanting and cheering from a sea of navy blue and gold while my senior class stood on the court in disbelief. We had lost. I have so many memories that night, but one in particular stands out. About 2 hours after the game, I called my coach and I thanked him. From the bottom of my heart, I thanked him for the opportunity to play for him and for all the amazing lessons and memories I had throughout my 4 years in his program. He was shocked to say the least but incredibly appreciative of my call. I saw this quote and couldn’t help but think of my high school career and this conversation:
“We must all suffer from one of two pains: the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. The difference is discipline weighs ounces while regret weighs tons.” -Jim Rohn
I have zero regrets from my volleyball career – none. I have nothing to regret because the discipline I was taught left no room for it, quite frankly. At the end of the match, as awful and painful as it was to lose, my team and I knew we did everything we could to put us in contention. I definitely didn’t love every practice; I certainly did not love the hours of conditioning. But if I would’ve missed any of those moments, then, my friends, there would be regret.
“At the time, all discipline seems cause not for joy but for pain, yet later it brings the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who are trained in it.” Hebrews 12:11
What kind of “pain” will you feel when you meet Jesus face-to-face at the end of your life? Will it be peace and joy because of your “pain” in discipline on earth? Or will you feel the pain of regret? To be clear, we can NOT earn a single ounce of God’s grace. It is and was freely given through Jesus Christ by his life, death, and resurrection. However, we are told, countless times, what we are to do with the graces God has given us in our life. That, my friend, is what we will be judged on.
I bring this up because, if I’m being honest, most people do not want to do Biking for Babies because of the discipline it requires. They may word it in many different excuses, but in their hearts, it comes down to this: a reluctance to put in the time, effort, and discipline it takes to be ready for this mission. I know it is true because it is one of the main reasons that, every year, I myself am tempted not to be a part of Biking for Babies. The commitment, the fundraising, the training, and the formation all seems like “pain” I could do without.
I’ve never regretted one minute with Biking for Babies. It has forced me to become more disciplined with my time and skills in every aspect of my life. It has provided me an opportunity to answer Christ’s call when He tells us, “whatsoever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” in Matthew 25:40.
So, in my last blog post before our applications close, I want to ask you one last time: will you join us in 2019? Discipline of using our God-given talents and graces is required; it is how we show God we love him and follow his commandments (Matthew 16:24). If your life lacks discipline for the glory of his Kingdom, I may know a few people willing to help.
Join us as a pro-life missionary this year during our National Ride Across America on July 7-13! Missionary applications for riders and support crew are open until March 1, so turn yours in today! Want to know more about our National Ride before you sign up? Visit THIS page…and then sign up!
