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BREAKAWAY: Don't Let the Peloton Catch You

Writer's picture: David WarrenDavid Warren

I have been watching the Tour de France almost every day and yesterday on Day 17 the cyclists had their toughest day with 10-15 miles of almost straight up climbing!! Three riders emerged from the pack, also known as the Peloton, and they formed what is called a "breakaway!" The Peloton group, which is a group of riders who use their pack as a way to gain speed and endurance by working together, fell back 1 minute, 2 minutes, and settled in and waited for their time to move and catch the three in the breakaway group. The announcers said what they say every day when there is a breakaway and their comments went like this "It will be interesting to see when the Peloton will make their move and overtake the breakaway group. It was a foregone conclusion, as always...

To the announcers amazement, the guy leading the Tour De France overall by 5 minutes 33 seconds was in the breakaway group!! And then to their amazement again, he was doing a breakaway from the breakaway group!! I found myself "apprehensively" begin to cheer on this leader of the Tour De France, this Champion, who was defying the cycling odds, the cycling way of doing things, to show he truly was a champion and finishing strong. I got a "kick" out of the announcer's confusion as to why he would do such a thing. His name is Tadej Pogacar. So where was the Peloton? About 40 seconds back and closing, but not overtaking Tadej Pogacar and the other two riders of the breakaway. 1 Corinthians 9:24 Don’t you realize that in a race everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win!

As Christians we sometimes fall back into the pack or Peloton mentality and we would never allow any breakaways to be succesful. Just like the announcers, we stay "safe" and then "safe" becomes a lifestyle. You know, just settle in and wait until everybody makes a move and then we can safely move together to overtake those who are foolish enough to breakaway from the group. Even though we won't admit it this is the reasoning we have come to live by as Americans and yes, Christians. This is our "participation" trophy!! I am going to do a breakaway today and say "I believe this is a mistake that can be fixed, if we just think about it. If you step out, driven by a passion to serve Jesus as never before, you will probably have other partipants wondering what you are doing, but don't give in. Don't let their mediocrity overtake you and don't quit. Luke 9:62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” When I saw Tadej Pogacar coming up that last bit of stage 17, the look on his face was one of focus and determination and I knew in my heart "He is not giving up!" Wow, inspiring!! I thought of the above scripture and what Jesus was presenting to his disciples and to us.

Perhaps today you need to do a breakaway. I didn't say "attempt" to do a breakaway. JUST DO IT!! It doesn't have to be a prideful breakaway to show off, but just a concentrated effort to "make a difference" and run the race with all you've got. Tadej Pogacar had the race in the bag and he could have just stayed in the pack and he would have won. Because of Jesus we have this race of life in the bag, but don't just stay in the Peloton. Do a breakaway. I have been told all my life to just "stay in the pack" but that won't do. Not for me.... I don't want to just stay in the Peloton, and just finish. It's time for a BREAKAWAY!!!

So here is the standard for those who are going to do a breadaway. Colossian 3:23 Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Men and women who have a made a difference for the Lord have always been in readiness to do a breakaway for Jesus. The Prophet Jeremiah had one problem after another as he tried to speak for the Lord and God's Word to him is found in Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Now if that isn't a signal to breakaway, then I don't know what is. Just keep in mind the Peloton will always try to overtake you and bring you back to mediocrity, but true champions don't let that happen. Even when you have some tough mountains to climb, keep advancing, keep pedaling, and the end victory will be even more sweet as you hear these words from God. Matthew 25:21“The master was full of praise. ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’

Time is wasting. BREAKAWAY.....


The Pilgrimage Continues......


David Warren

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