Peace of Mind

A nice loud "OYE!" in Atlanta, GA

As I lay under the piano, Nick is playing in the sanctuary of Wesley Way United Methodist Church and as I reflect upon today’s events I am overcome by peace.  Today was not spectacular in any certain way but it was just one of those days that is pleasing to the heart.  I feel as if we have completed our journey, even though we have 2 weeks left.  The battery in my bike computer was dead so it was just the road, the fellow riders, and myself trucking through the pouring rain with virtually no idea where we were heading.  All we knew was that there was food, shelter, and fellowship waiting for us at our destination.

Jimmy Carter Center

 The day started out by attending Sunday school and a service at St. James United Methodist Church.  Being back in a United Methodist Church was a little piece of home for me.  The sermon was about realizing your sin, confessing it, learning from it, and moving on to become a stronger disciple for God.  It is really easy to get caught up in the idea that we are doing a good deed by partaking in this trip and helping a lot of people out.  We are reminded of this by gracious people along our journey all the time.  Between these reminders and all the fun we are having I feel like we start to forget about the way we are thinking and acting sometimes.  We get too caught up in the activities we are enjoying along the way and don’t truly live for the Lord.  The sermon this morning made me think about this a little.  The more I think about it the more I realize that I do this in my daily life all the time.  Everyone does.  Whether it’s getting your priorities straightened out in life, cleaning up some of your bad habits, or just trying to think in a more positive and loving manner.  I’m not trying to be a Debbie Downer but I think it is important to think about this sometimes and to catch yourself.  It is human nature to have a desire to be perfect.  Many times we think of this perfection in worldly ways such as being the best at something we do.  How about striving for perfection in a holy sense.  It is obviously not going to be something that we accomplish but it is certainly a wonderful goal to strive towards.  I know it is a goal I could use to improve myself as a person and as one of God’s children.

The Carter Center

I would also like to mention that the passion and enthusiasm shown by the Atlanta Fuller Center and its members is unbelievable.  They have done so much to ensure that our stay here is wonderful and fulfilling - it’s unbelievable.  They greeted us outside of Atlanta at the “Big Chicken”, provided escorts to guide us through the streets of Atlanta, videotaped us as we rode through the city, and catered to our every need.  Myself, along with all of the Fuller Center Cyclists would like to extend a big thank you to everyone from the Atlanta Fuller Center who has made our stay so meaningful.  We would also like to thank Kent for a breakfast of champions this morning, Jackie for providing a delicious lunch before we departed on our ride, all of the folks who served as our escorts for our ride today (we would have been completely lost without you), and Wesley Way United Methodist Church for greeting us with open arms, worshiping youth, a delicious dinner, and a place to lay our heads for the night.

Tasty and visually appealing custom made Fuller Center Bike Trip cake! You just cannot beat that...

My understanding of life as of this moment is as clear as the path that was shown to us by the blue Dodge Durango that escorted us along our ride today through the streets of Atlanta.  Everything you do well while you are on this planet will be greatly appreciated for a time, everything you don’t do well will eventually be forgotten.  Everyone you influence will go onto influence others in a certain way because of how you have influenced them.  Be a blessing because you have been blessed and love the Lord because he has and will always love you.

written by: Eric Schweinhart

photos by: Esther Hyejin Chung