The Anointed Chain [a devotional to mountain biking]

Father God in Heaven,

Thank you for Your bountiful love and ever-present grace.

Thank you for Your precious gifts of faith, hope and love.

Thank you for the glory and joy that is creation, salvation and preservation.

Father God,

We are ridiculously blessed.

Thank you for blessing us with Your will and grace.

Thank you for giving us Your beloved Chi-Rho,

His thorny crown transforms,

I pray we ride completely whole.

Protect us from prickles, thistles, and thorns.

Guide us through mountainous loops;

Towards spiritual fruits.

Steer us away from ruts,

Especially those filled with religious nuts.

Father God in Heaven,

Thank you for giving us choice: Blessed freedom.

I pray we ride in Your Kingdom.

Although we are mere, we are your rank and file.

Singletrack and single file; mile for mile.

In sunlight and twilight.

Father God,

You are the Anointed King,

You are the Chain that Liberates.

You are the Liberating King;

Without You, we are motionless.

Father God in Heaven,

We ride in Your Country.

Our country comfort;

A secret place where we can close the door

And be revealed to You:

Steward of Stewards,

Lord of Lords,

King of Kings.

Let the ride baptize.

Although we may be outcasts,

We are not iconoclasts.

Although we are misfits, at least we are fit.

Day in and day out,

Chainrings spin

Joyous suffering,

Over rocks, drops, hills, and spills.

Suffering builds strength and endurance,

With endurance comes character,

With character comes hope.

And with hope, there is faith and love.

Day in and day out.

Father God,

Bless our daily ride.

Eyes wide open.

Rock gardens and babyheads

Canyons, peaks, and rocky spines,

Woodlands and creekbeds,

Poison oak and scented pines,

Native thistles and nettles,

Succulents with flower petals,

Oak, sycamore; so much more!

Big cats, tiny gnats,

Mule deer, mere bunnies,

Lizards, snakes, and tarantulas, oh my!

Black beetles doing head stands, always funny.

Treasured is the Main Divide,

A source of priceless rides.

Joyous Trabuco, a hoot of thunder;

King Joplin will break you asunder;

Holy James and Santiago, bless the water in our packs;

And San Juan, oh those switchbacks!

Don’t forget, our little companion,

St. Peter’s Canyon.

Remember, Big Red is no joke.

And epic Santa Anna, let Angelus Oaks unyoke.

Father God in Heaven,

You are the liberating King.

Renew our grip and strengthen our knees.

Reveal our eyes to hidden lines.

Let the oil lubricate and liberate.

If there is pride on the ride, remove it.

If there is rust or mud crust, remove it.

Let the ride be free of pride.

Let the ride be full of trust.

Let our anointment bring enjoyment.

Let there be peace, glory and joy in every moment;

Even when the ride is over,

Let this spillover

In all that we do.

Let every ride be our history.

Let clay, rock, and sand

Sanctify our humility.

In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit ,

I say “let’s ride!”

Amen Amen Amen