My Prison Fellowship Racing teammates and I had to help one another get over an eight-foot wall just to get into the race orientation area. At the Tough Mudder challenge race in Grand Rapids, Michigan, last month, teamwork was key right from the beginning. Unlike a traditional race, where the speed of the individual is all that counts, we needed one other in order to scale walls, crawl through mud, and swim through icy water for eight grueling miles.
We undertook this significant challenge to raise money to support ministry to prisoners and their families. I was grateful just to get through the race without injury. But afterward, I found myself taking away many lessons – about community, teamwork, and unity – that apply more broadly to life and ministry.
Often in life, it’s easy to get focused on our own progress. How quickly can we get where we want to go? We can forget about what’s happening to people God has placed on our “team” in life. Are we there to help pick them up when they fall down? Are we willing to help boost them over significant obstacles?
Living on the margins, prisoners and their families are some of the easiest people to leave behind. But Jesus told us that the world would know we are His disciples because of our love for another, not because we get to the finish line first. The hallmark of our victory will be how good we are at lifting up our brothers and sisters, so that none get left behind.
Will you join our team as we run forward together? Learn how you can help lift up prisoners and their families at www.angeltree.org.