Let me tell you a little about this bike; but first, let me give you a little insight.
My team and I are in Siem Reap, Cambodia. It is now month 8 and we are nearing the end quickly. This is a time where the majority of us are tired and have to really focus on God and choose to buy in to what we are doing this late in the race. This month, we have been teaching at a local school called BCI School (Bible Church International). We have been standing before children anywhere between 3-12 teaching them to speak English. These days have been so full and tiring, but we can definitely see God using us in a mighty way in the lives of these children.
As far as my personal spiritual life this month, things have been hard. I have been experiencing the most intense spiritual warfare that I have ever walked through. Now, I know many people don’t enjoy talking about spiritual warfare because it can become pretty scary and intense, but it is still a truth, and something we all need to be prepared to battle. I won’t go into detail about what I am experiencing, but am willing to if you message me privately if curiosity gets to you. But, facing the long days of teaching kids, coming back and having a full evening, and then not being able to sleep due to spiritual things, I am exhausted. I am battling hard to stay positive. My heart knows how to battle this, but my mind wants to give in an give up, showing that it is a constant battle. But let me tell you about the bike. This is what I have been using as transportation to and from ministry daily. It is rusty, squeaky, not really a manly color, and it looks like it was made in the 70s. Although, it has been used for some serious revelations, and breakthroughs.
Lately, on my rides to ministry, I have been just putting in my earbuds and listening to worship music and then singing as loud as possible. Picture that; a large white guy riding a light blue cruiser bike on a bumpy dirt road singing as loud as possible. This has been a time where everything disappears though. During these rides, I don’t hear the enemy, I hear Jesus. I don’t see the darkness, I see the joy. I don’t have a million thoughts running through my head, because I have the beauty of worship right with me. I almost feel as if the bike is being used as a safe place, and I tested this recently. I decided to not ride it and just walk to ministry. It seemed to be true! As I walked, I struggled with thoughts, battled the struggles, and so on. The next day, I got back on the bike and everything was just fine.
To some, this may be just weird, and that is okay. What I would like you to understand is that spiritual warfare is real. When you ask God to take you a step deeper, and you keep your focus completely on Him, the enemy will take it up a step too and try to knock your focus off. I cannot say I have completely worked through this war, but I know that my God is already victorious, and I just have to proclaim that every waking moment. I have to push through this battle and rejoice on the other side. Keeping my focus on my Father every step of the way.
Fearlessly,
Preston
