When The Unexpected Happens

  When The Unexpected Happens

Collin Leong. January 6th 2013

Last week I brought my bicycle to Pengerang via ferry from Singapore, intending to cycle the 50km to Desaru beach resort. I went there alone hoping to reflect on life and what God wants for me in the new year.  With my fast road bike I estimated it would take around 2.5hours - piece of cake. It started very well, the weather was cool and perfect. After about 20km it started to rain but I had a raincoat so the journey continued. Being outdoors and in the mercy of the earth and skies always makes me feel close to God, like I'm in the palm of His bare hands. So I was thoroughly enjoying it; the 30 minute pouring rain made me felt more alive and even happier!

"The LORD will keep you from all harm - he will watch over your life; the Lord will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore." Ps 121:8

But at about 35km point, my back tyre suddenly went flat! Now that was really bad and unexpected. I went on the trip prepared for almost everything except for that scenario. So I started pushing my bike and trying to figure out my options. I figured it would have taken me another 3 hours to reach my hotel if I had to walk all the way, and the sun was getting really hot.

So I decided to call my hotel to send a taxi, and they promised they would send one to find me,  somewhere on the lonely highway. Meanwhile I kept on walking and pushing that stupid bike - of all the time, it had to have a puncture in the middle of nowhere, and my legs were aching very badly! But the taxi didn't come - not for more than 1 hour! It turned out that they did send 2 taxis but both couldn't find me. Lol! I have walked probably 6km before one finally came across me. We put the bike into the trunk and it drove me the last 9km to my hotel. What I expected to be a pleasant and simple 50km journey took over 5 agonizing hours.

Life is sometimes like that. Things happen unexpectedly and what/who you think you can depend on fails you at the most inconvenient time. And you didn't have a fall back plan. The journey could represent different parts of life for different people - study life, career life, health, finance, friendship, family, emotional or spiritual life. And sometimes the signs don't show - the inner tube burst though externally the tyre looked fine. And sometimes we don't know why - over inflate, under inflate, lack of maintenance, nails on the rough road? It could be a big matter or small matter. It turned out to be a S$8.50 fix to replace the inner tube, but it was an essential part of the bicycle. After it happens, "why" it happened doesn't matter (except as a post mortem study) - question is what's the best way forward to reach the destination.

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?... No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us".           (Rom 8:35, 37)

And then there's help that may or may not come. The occasional cars and even empty pick-up trucks that came by were traveling so fast to their own destination that none even slowed down, seeing someone pushing a bike and carrying a knapsack. (Not that I was waving desperately to them though. I did think of hitch hiking but thought better of it.) The help (taxis, ha ha) that was sent got lost themselves and you realize that actually a lot of meaningful people are at a loss themselves if they have not gone through it. They just don't know where you are, only God knows.

"Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls." Jer 6:16

My challenging adventure on the Desaru highways reminded me of  what Jesus said during his first advent (his first coming, 2000 years ago): 

"Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it." (Mat 7:13-14)

Jesus also claims to be "the way, the truth, and the life" and that no one can enter heaven without going through him. But to walk his way is not easy and many turn away from it at the prospect. Those who chose to walk by faith on that road is promised troubles in life and trials of their faith, but also the love of Christ to sustain them. It is our duty in our life journey to do for Christ as Isaiah says: "Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God" (Isa 40:3) as we eagerly await his second coming. 

Lastly, no matter what separate journeys we take, what challenges and difficulties come our way, we must remember that we are still bound by the common destination we are heading, which is to the place Christ has prepared for us. And his love and watchful eyes are on each of us constantly at all stages of our journeys. Eventually rest will find us, when we have been taught through the trials and discipline He place before us. 





"He covers the sky with clouds; he supplies the earth with rain and makes grass grow on the hills. The Lord delights in those who fear him, who put their hope in his unfailing love." Ps 147:8, 11.