My wife and I are pursuing simplicity. We recently added to our family (birth of our first son, Ezra) and then downsized. Huh? Yes. Moved into town so we can be close to work, gym, church, and friends. Though our family grew, our bought a home over 200 square feet smaller (total around 1200). Simplicity is freedom. In addition, my wife and I discovered that with our new location, a 2nd vehicle is not a necessity. When you add up a used vehicle note, insurance, and gas, we are saving almost $350-500 a month. Because we have committed to one vehicle, I went out and bought a really nice bicycle (simplicity does not mean you buy crappy stuff) so that I can ride to work on days that my wife would like the car (she is a stay-at-home mom).
Today, around 8:30, clouds were brewing. I threw my clothes in my backpack along with my iPad and keyboard (much lighter than a laptop, thus more easily toted…again, simplicity) and hit the road. I made it across the bridge as I headed into the South part of town. It started to lightly rain. At this point, I knew that I would not make it all the way to work before it started really raining. I was about 2 minutes from a neighborhood church that I previously noticed has covered front area. I made it just in time. As it started to rain really hard, I had about 15 minutes to reflect. Along my path, there are approximately 4-5 places I have mentally marked as “refuge” places. When I am riding to work (about a 15 minutes bicycle ride), these are locations spaced a few minutes apart, that I know I can escape the rain in case it gets too bad. To be honest, it is kind of fun. An adventure. The fresh rain and exercise clears my head before I enter the office.
Then this thought occurred to me: I have marked out in my mind where refuge can be found in case rain begins to fall. Have we as Christians already settled in our minds and hearts that The Lord will be the place we hide when light or heavy rains come our way? Will you let Him have first access to your heart during times of hardship?
The word “refuge” occurs 23 times just in the book of Psalms (using the NKJV). Here are a few examples:
Psalm 9:9 NKJV
The LORD also will be a refuge for the oppressed, A refuge in times of trouble.
Psalm 31:2 NKJV
Bow down Your ear to me, Deliver me speedily; Be my rock of refuge, A fortress of defense to save me.
Psalm 62:7-8 NKJV
In God is my salvation and my glory; The rock of my strength, And my refuge, is in God. [8] Trust in Him at all times, you people; Pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us. Selah
This list goes on and on. Fall on Him with the deep things of your heart. Lean into Him. Let Him be the place you dive under when rain starts falling on your bicycle path.
BJ Condrey, Ph.D. 
BJ , YOU ARE MY SPIRITUAL , AND ACTUAL BLOOD BROTHER, AND SHALL I SAY , I LOVE YOUR SPIRIT. THIS COMMENT HAS 2 INTENTIONS, ONE IS TO RESPOND TO THE BLOG, 2 IS TO BUILD UP A POWERFUL AND MIGHTY, BUT HUMBLE MAN OF GOD, MY BROTHER!!
1RST INTENT
I AGREE, THERE IS FREEDOM IN SIMPLICITY, THERE IS AN INSTANT SELF SATISFACTION WHEN YOU MAKE A CHOICE TO SIMPLIFY, OR REDUCE WHAT ONCE WAS A NECESSATIY(MISPELLED PROBABLY LOL) IN ORDER TO ACCOMPLISH SAVINGS, AND OR PLACE FOCUS ON WHAT REALLY MATTERS, SAVINGS AND NO RISK INVESTMENTS ARE VITAL TO YOU AND YOUR FAMILYS FUTURE. I ALSO LOVE THAT YOU SPENT MONEY ON A GOOD PRODUCT (BIKE), BECAUSE WHEN LIFE CHANGES, AND A VEHICLE BECOMES A NEED AND IS PURCHASED, THAT BIKE WILL TURN INTO FUN, A CHEAP ONE WOULD ONLY LAST FOR A SEASON. WELL SPENT MONEY, AND GREAT CHOICE. BUY TO KEEP, I LOVE IT!!!
2ND INTENT
BJ IS A MAN THAT SACRIFICED AND GRADUATED AN INTENSE SEMINARY PROGRAM AT MASTERS COMMISION IN KANSAS CITY, HE WAS CHOSEN TO BECOME THE NEXT YEARS MENTORING LEADER IN THE PROGRAM— BACHELORS DEGREE—AND THEN A MASTERS DEGREE IN PHILOSOPHY, ANOTHER WORDS OPTIONS FROM A WORLDVIEW STANDPOINT, TO BUILD A CAREER AND AN EXCELLENT FINANCIAL FUTURE. BUT HERES THE COOL PART, AT THIS STAGE IN HIS LIFE, GOD SAYS MINISTRY. SO GUESS WHAT , SO DOES BJ(WHEN I SAY BJ, I ALSO SAY HIS WIFE)!!! IVE WATCHED AND LOOKED UP TO HIM MY WHOLE LIFE, AND AM SO PROUD I CAN HARDLY STAND IT. HE HAS CHOSEN TO LIVE A GOOD AND SECURE LIFE FINANCIALLY, BUT INSTEAD OF A CAREER FOCUSED FINANCIAL PATH, ITS MINISTRY. SO ALL THAT TO SAY, THE BYCYCLE IS NOT BECAUSE HE HAS TO, ITS BECAUSE IN GIVING UP HIS LIFE, AND LEADING HIS FAMILY TO DO THE SAME, HE CHOSE TO FIND JOY IN THINGS SUCH AS THE THE SIMPLE BIKE OPTION, THE CHOICE TO SAVE POEPLES LIVES, TO LOVE THE UNLOVEABLE, TO LEAD POEPLE TO CHRIST, TO SERVE IN THE MINISTRY FULL TIME, WAS NOT HIS ONLY OPTION FROM A WORLD VIEW….. FROM HIS….. IT WAS!!
GREAT JOB BRO.
THE LESSON I TOOK FROM THIS IS , IS THE LORD MY REFUGE IN TIMES OF TROUBLE, AND, ARE THE TRAILS THAT I MAY GO THROUGH BECAUSE OF THE CHOICE TO FOLLOW AND FIND REFUGE IN CHRIST VIEWED AS A BURDEN, OR CAN I FIND JOY IN THE NEEDS THAT HE ALWAYS PROMISES TO PROVIDE. IF IM FINANCIALLY BURDENED, OR DESIRE MORE THAN WHAT I HAVE, AND ASK HIM TO BLESS MY FINANCES, HELP ME TO PROVIDE FOR MY FAMILY, AND GODS AWNSER TO ME IS SELL YOUR CAR, AND GET A BICYCLE, WHAT WILL MY AWNSER BE, AND EVEN IF I SAY YES, WILL I FIND JOY IN IT, OR VIEW IT AS A NEGATIVE OUTCOME.
WOW…. SELF REFLECTION IS NOT FUN BJ, THANKS ALOT LOL. MY HONEST AWNSER” UHH NO , IM NOT SELLING MY CAR”. WHY, WELL ITS SIMPLE, MY FAITH IS NOT WHERE IT SHOULD BE, IM LIKE THE MAN THAT GOD TOLD TO TO SELL ALL HIS POSSESSIONS AND FOLLOW HIM, EXCEPT , I WOULD PROBABLE BOW MY HEAD AND WALK AWAY. THE POSITIVE OUTCOME OF THIS BLOG IS, WHEN AN ISSUE BRINGS UP YOUR OWN SELF REFLECTION, YOU KNOW EXACTLY WHAT YOU NEED TO SEEK GOD FOR. AMEN BROTHER!!!! THANKS
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