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Humility
 
The Holy Gospel
Luke 18:9-14
 
Jesus told his parable to some who trusted in themselves that they were righteous and regarded others in contempt:  "Two men went up to the temple to pray, one a Pharisee and the other a tax collector.  The Pharisee, standing by himself, was praying thus, "God, I thank you that I am not like other people:  thieves, rogues, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.  I fast twice a week; I give a tenth of all my income." But the tax collector, standing far off, would not even look up to heaven, but was beating his breast and saying, "God, be merciful to me, a sinner!"  I tell you, this man went down to his home justified rather than the other; for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exalted."
 
So, I'm taking a break from one of my rides at Pucketts, and I start to chat with a few of the 'ol boys' in front of the store.  After a while, one turns to me and says..."you know, most of the folks on bikes don't bother even talking to us".  I laughed, and told him cyclist can be a rather snooty bunch.
 
Humility....we've all been around people who could use a big dose of it.  Those lacking in humility are just not confined to cyclist....in our professional life, often rife with self promotion, I've seen it go beyond bosting about successes, and flow over into "tearing others down, so you can build yourself up".  How often have we seen this...both on a bike or at work..it's sad.
 
So, take the time to offer help and encouragement to those who are at a different place than you...maybe someone who just started cycling, and is overweight....maybe someone who doesn't know how to ride in a paceline....think about all the stuff you've learned since you first started riding...stuff you had to learn the hard way...how many times people shouted at you, yet you didn't even understand why they where shouting.  We need to be embassadors of our sport, and it starts by remembering where we came from.  Riding a bike is fun...we do it as young kids...bike racing is a complex sport with unwritten rules and unwritten etiquette.
 
The talents we have are gifts from God.  We need to use them to the Glory of his Name...."for all who exalt themselves will be humbled, but all who humble themselves will be exactled."
 
Clarke