I sold my bike today.
Not my new one – the old one that I have had for over 10 years. It was a Zurich mountain bike that I picked up somewhere. Honestly, I don’t ever remember where! It was old and rusty and heavy – steel frame, big knobby tires, not much padding in the seat!
But it was a good bike. It may not have been as flashy as some of the newer carbon-fiber bikes are today, but it was solid. It was made for rough terrain, so it had to be strong and durable.
Shocks on the front wheel; 18 speeds for whatever kind of climbing you were going to do; good brakes; built-in water bottle holder. I had added a rear-view mirror, bike lock, front and rear lights, replaced the tires, and added a cellphone holder. Other than that, it was still stock-original and good to go.
I hope that the guy who bought it has many more years of use out of it. It’s going to last, probably longer than a new one from Wal-Mart or Sears! I have learned over the years that it’s better to spend more and buy a good (whatever) the first time than to buy a cheap one that has to keep being replaced.
I think of our faith like this, too – it’s better to put the work into developing a strong, healthy faith relationship than to go for the latest gimmicks just to get people to come to church. Over the years I have seen (or heard of) churches that try all kinds of stuff to get people to come – but the problem with that is, you have to keep out-doing yourself in order to retain them! I would rather people come because they feel loved and safe and welcome exploring their faith in God than try to bribe them into staying.
Just because something is new doesn’t mean it’s better. But we also have to recognize that, just because something is old, that doesn’t mean that THAT is better! We have to become fair judges to ask ourselves what is the best way to do the job we have currently at hand, and not to be swayed by either sentiment or novelty.
Why did I sell my old bike? Because my new one works better. I had outgrown the old one (literally! I seem to have gotten taller!) This new bike has an easier gear-switching system, better brakes, and is more aerodynamic. It’s easier to ride, and I anticipate that it will serve me just as well as the old one did.
I think what I’ve learned from this is DON’T JUDGE SOMETHING JUST BECAUSE IT’S OLD OR NEW – JUDGE IT BY WHETHER IT HELPS YOU TO ACCOMPLISH WHAT YOU NEED TO DO IN THE BEST POSSIBLE MANNER.
At our church, what new things have we found have increased our ministry that we had never done before? (Zoom meetings, changing church board structure, allowing outside groups to use our facilities?)
What old things do we have that still help us to love people in Jesus’ Name? (Monthly breakfasts, visitation, serving meals?)
What is Jesus calling us to do to help people to fall in love with Him?
- Rev. Bill