As I shifted gears while working out on my bike in beautiful Henderson, NV, I suddenly envisioned myself riding my bike across America. God spoke to my heart, “William, C’mon with me and shift your gears throughout America inspiring everyone you meet to Shift to Great-ness!” I could see the white lines slowly passing me by as I traveled from West to East. It was an epiphany that gripped my heart deeply and would not let me go. My heart raced as I contemplated it, and it became my passion and purpose until I completed this epic journey in which God would allow me to “Astonish” Him and encourage others to do the same.

Only one person could tell me that I couldn’t ride my bike for thousands of miles, stay at strangers’ homes, ask people what was great about them, create new friendships, eat new foods, and discover things about myself and others that I never knew. ME. I find that we are the only ones who can kill a vision that God gives us.

Why would God beckon me to climb on a bike and climb unbelievable hills on one side, and scream down the other at nearly 40 mph with cars next to me a few feet away? Why risk my very life at 53 with no idea of where my new life would take me? This was totally unhinged and absolutely contrary to what intelligent people do, especially religious people. What drove me to this point, and why such a radical move? As I revisit my experience while preparing to continue my journey, I have come to understand why – God is an adventurer and He is always trying to wake us up from our own disgust, boredom and self -destructive habits that trap us in cycles that keep us in circles of pain, the same faces of people and in bondage to the deep demonic voice of condemnation.