A team of friends and I recently completed our annual cycling fundraiser we’ve named the Freedom Ride. A week of riding and camping replaces the usual nine-to-five as we set aside our comfort and intentionally focus on the serious issues of the day. We use the Ride as a platform to raise awareness about racism, human trafficking and injustices so rampant in our world. We also take the opportunity to raise funds for transformational ministries in Liberia that are reaching out to children affected by these atrocities.
This and last year’s fundraising focuses were on the indigenous ministries we serve alongside that help Liberians in their recovery from a devastating 14-year civil war. We are building an additional school for hundreds more children in Buchanan, Liberia as well as funding our “Transformation House,” an orphanage in Monrovia for young men who were on the streets.
Interestingly, Liberia is a republic founded in the early 19th century by freed slaves and whose present crisis is significantly due to ongoing tribal hatred, poverty and greed. Regardless of history, culture, or language, the human heart – apart from God – seems to know no limit of evil.
The Freedom Riders launched this year at the feet of the Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC, marking the 200th anniversary of this freedom fighter’s birth. We pedaled hundreds of miles through the mountains and back roads of Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey. We followed key sites of battles in our own nation’s bloody civil war, which took place a century and a half ago. We know this was a devastating war, fought significantly over the issue of slavery.
Last year’s ride took us along sections of the Underground Railroad which functioned for decades during this same time period when men and women – judged “lesser” because of the darkness of their skin – were tragically and legally owned as slaves and treated as animals (or worse). This figurative “railroad” was comprised of many who risked their own freedom and lives to hide, protect, feed and transport slaves to freedom. We traced their dangerous path with the luxury of maps, daylight, bicycles and tents knowing they had to completely trust God for each step of their terrifying journey.
Both of these were incredibly powerful rides as we heard the stories of brokenness and bravery, love and sacrifice. I felt strong emotions that ranged from anger over the depth of evil to overwhelming gratitude for those who showed remarkable courage, compassion and love. My heart was stirred by stories of men and women who could have remained safely uninvolved but who, instead, were driven by Justice and Love to live dangerously. Regardless of skin tone, culture or language, the human heart seems to know no limit of good - when fully surrendered to God.
I think of Harriet Tubman, who was born into slavery but bravely escaped to freedom. Although living in relative safety, she could not rest knowing others were enslaved, so she risked her own freedom - over several years - to guide hundreds of others along the path to freedom.Her perspective was, “I can’t die but once,” and fully gave that one life to Christ, our ultimate Freedom Fighter. She also said, “Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world.” Harriet lived dangerously.
I think of Thomas Garrett who was caught protecting runaway slaves. He was fined so much money that he had to sell his farm and, ultimately, his home. He remarked to the judge who fined him, “I used to worry about how I would care for my wife and children. You have relieved me of that worry. I tell you, any of you, if you know any man in need of help, send him to Thomas Garrett!” Thomas lived dangerously.
And I think always of the Lord, Jesus Christ, who risked everything for every one of us. In John 10:10 we read Jesus’ words, “I have come so that you can be fully alive.” It is the same Jesus who proclaimed in Luke 4:18, “The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners....” The same Jesus who said “Follow Me” and then laid His life down for us. Jesus lived dangerously.
We were in the midst of along, difficult and hot ride when two of our cyclists suddenly collided, tumbling down hard. It was a busy road with cars all around and, from my vantage point, it looked like the riders were seriously injured. Ambulances, emergency rooms, evaluations and x-rays.... Amazingly, the riders walked away with only abrasions, bruises and one broken bone. While Chad was lying on the table awaiting x-ray results I said, “Hey my brother, life sure is risky, huh?” Thoughtfully, he responded, “Yes, but it’s riskier not to live.” Wow! What a great observation! Chad is willing to live dangerously.
I think often our tendency is to play it safe because life can be unpredictable, disappointing and painful. And yet, to be “fully alive”as Jesus offers, is for the here-and-now as well as the here-after-now. Fully alive must mean more than playing it safe with our heart and relationships, time and energy. It must mean letting out the fire that burns within us and really following Jesus - seeking to love, live and serve as He did. But that is dangerous.
The Apostle Paul urges us with these words in Ephesians 5:15-16, “Be very careful, then, how you live – not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” Embrace these words of wisdom from my fellow Freedom Rider: “Life is risky, but it’s riskier not to live” and choose with me today to live dangerously. 