I have an app on my IPad that I use to plot and plan each days ride. Once it is all done and downloaded it produces an “Elevation Profile” that gives you a picture of the day in terms of elevation. The elevation heights are labeled on the side, though you probably can’t see those, but from that you can figure the climbing you will be doing the next day. It also has color coding on it that you can’t see either, which indicates the percent of grade. Anything marked “red” means bad news, 10 % or more, anything marked blue is 8% to 10% grade, and anything marked in green means 2% to 6% grade, and tan is under 2%. I down load it on my phone as well, and all during the day there is a blue dot on the profile and the route that tells me where I am so I can breath easy or start to sweat based on what is ahead. I have often thought about “chucking” the app and just being surprised by what the next day brings in way of challenges. The problem with knowing what is coming the next day is that it produces an anxiety about how hard it will be, and if I can do it.

I have often wondered what it would be like to get a personal prophecy from God on what’s coming tomorrow, next week, next month, and maybe even a year. I could get a lot of premeditated planning in, and it seems like that would improve my performance in every area of life tremendously. But I suspect my real motive is just a heightened sense of being in control of my own life. My favorite part of these bicycle trips is planning out every detail of the trip, but once we get started most of it changes anyway, as new information and events unfold, but I keep planning anyway.

In the midst of the planning, setting goals, and dreaming that I do a high percentage of my time I often let out a big sigh, and think or even audibly say, “Thank You Lord, for being the one who really plans my life and directs my steps!” “I can’t wait for the adventures to come!” Proverbs 16:9. The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.