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MARK Heid
I recently had the opportunity to participate in the Colorado Roads & Trails Rally in Salida , Colorado . Unlike past events , I rode this one on an ATV and was able to travel roads I would never have considered on two wheels . Over the next two days , we explored the areas around Mt . Antero , White Mountain , Baldwin Lake , Tin Cup Pass , Napoleon Pass , Hancock Pass , and many abandoned mining operations . It was a fantastic time of riding , fellowship , enjoying some of God ’ s finest creations , and learning the finer points of proper ATV riding .
Many , if not most of these ‘ roads ,’ were first established during the mining boom of 1800 ’ s Colorado . It is hard to imagine what it took to get the necessary mining equipment to such remote mountainous locations . Through determination and tenacity , these early travelers laid the initial trails we still follow today . Some of their routes have been leveled and paved , others look much like they did in the 1800 ’ s , and others have been abandoned and lost due to time and lack of use .
As we rode the rugged backroads and jeep trails , it got me thinking
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about those who went before us and carved out these rocky trails . That , in turn , got me thinking about our Christian walk and all of those who have gone before us there as well .
Hebrews Chapter 11 shares a fantastic list of heroes of the faith who have gone before us . It shares their suffering , persecution , and victories and shows that God does not abandon us . These verses were meant to be an encouragement to the persecuted Jewish Christians , and they are just as applicable to us today .
The writer continues into Chapter 12 with his conclusion , “ Therefore , since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith , let us strip off every weight that slows us down , especially the sin that so easily trips us up . And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us . We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus , the champion who initiates and perfects our faith ” ( Hebrews 12:1-2a , NLT ).
For two thousand years , Christians have been sharing the Gospel message in spite of hardship , suffering , and persecution . We are the beneficiaries of their faithfulness and persistence . But now it
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is our turn . It is our time to carry the Gospel message forward to the next generation and to the unreached of our day .
Herb Shreve had a call to take the Gospel to unreached motorcyclists through the ministry of CMA . We continue to carry that torch and have the opportunity to build upon the groundwork laid by those who have gone before us . Some will build upon relationships already established , and others are called to go into uncharted territory where the name of Christ is seldom heard . Our time is short , so we must leave behind distractions and sin in our lives while we run with endurance and keep our eyes upon Jesus . CMA
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