What does Cyclocross have to do with Ministry?
Channel: Anthony Svajda
Date: 09/12/2019

What cyclocross taught me about ministry.

Some of you may know that I love to ride bikes. 
This past weekend I raced in the Resolutions Cup State Cyclocross Race in Garland, TX, and it was a blast!
But I learned some things about ministry through this experience that I want to share with you today.
Before we get to my thoughts, let me tell you what happened in the race.
On Saturday morning, I was ready to go. 
My body was ready and trained for the event. 
I had all my gear ready. My bike was in top shape and good to go. 
Around 8 am, I got to the starting line with all the other riders, and the anticipation was high. 
But I knew that I was ready to put in a solid performance, and I knew that my preparation was going to pay off. 
The starting whistle blew, and we were off! 
The group was racing at a furious pace around the track, and I was making my way through the pack of riders to the front. 
But then, about three quarters through the first lap, I came around a turn, and it all came undone. I heard a pop and pfff. I looked back and my back tire was completely flat.
I did what I could to complete the lap and make it back to the start. I was bummed out as the riders I had previously passed kept coming around me.
I fell all the way to the back of the field.
When I finally reached the finish line, the race was still going on strong, but I was way back.
But then a moment of hope. I saw what I needed to get the tire fixed, so I got it done and got back out there. I lost some time, but I was still able to ride.
I rode the rest of the race, fighting tooth and nail back to the group. I caught many of them, but the leaders were just too far ahead to catch them.
Like I said before, even with the flat, I had a blast!

As I have been thinking about this race, I have learned something about ministry through this.
Here it is. 
You may have the best preparation in the world, but one small miss-step can take you out of the race. Brothers and Sisters, You may be smart. You may have gone to the best seminary. You may have the godliest family heritage or the best theological library. 
BUT one sin can take you out of the ministry.
Brothers, run the race of ministry with intention, cast off any sin that would hold you back from your best for God.

“Therefore, since we also have such a large cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us lay aside every hindrance and the sin that so easily ensnares us. Let us run with endurance the race that lies before us, keeping our eyes on Jesus, the source and perfecter of our faith. For the joy that lay before him, he endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” (Hebrews 12:1–2, CSB)