Ten Mile Ride on a Flat Tire

The pedaling was so much harder than it should have been. I began to wonder if I was really that out-of-shape. I put more energy into each leg push, I changed the gears, yet no matter how hard I tried, I just couldn’t go faster. The university biking class had launched the semester class with a 10-mile beginner ride.

Since it had been awhile since I had been on my bike, I assumed I had forgotten how hard it was. About a mile into the ride, a classmate that was running late pedaled up behind me and notified me I had a flat rear tire. No wonder this was so hard! I couldn’t believe I hadn’t thought of that. Obviously, I didn’t finish the ride.

I should have checked my bike over thoroughly before heading out on a ride that day. How often do we set out on a new assignment without taking stock and preparing for the task ahead? New assignments hold great anticipation and excitement. We launch into new endeavors with expectations of great results; however, somewhere along the way we lose the enthusiasm. Things are harder or more costly than we had expected. We flounder. Or we persevere. I want to be known as one who perseveres.

Jesus teaches on this in Luke 14:28, “For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it.” Normally when we see the word cost, we think of money or resources. But this should also include our time and energy.

Before tackling a new assignment, we should ask ourselves these questions.

1. Is this what God wants me to do? Have I prayed for direction about this assignment?

2. Have I made a promise to do this and need to keep that promise? Or will this prevent me from keeping another promise I have already made?

3. Do I have time to do this and is this the right time? Should I wait?

4. Do I have the financial resources to accomplish this?

5. Do I have the support of others? If wise people around me are counseling me not to do this, I really need to make sure it is from God before proceeding.

6. Does this assignment cause me to do anything contrary to God’s Word?

7. Will this task cause me to abandon my responsibilities to others?

8. Will I be glorifying God with this work, or am I more interested in garnering attention for myself?

9. Am I committed to completing this task, regardless of the effort required?

Although, not an exhaustive list, these questions should be answered honestly before embarking on an assignment, task or job. In Luke 14, Jesus went on to say that this affects our testimony before the world in verses 29-30, “lest, after he has laid the foundation, and is not able to finish, all who see it begin to mock him, say, ‘This man began to build and was not able to finish.’”

Are you ready to embark on a new assignment today? If so, ensure you don’t begin with a flat tire. You won’t get far! Prayerfully answer the questions above. The time spent will reveal the true motives of your desires. It will also assist you in finishing well or preventing you from starting something you can’t complete.