A few years ago, Idaho Public Television aired a program on Adventure Racing. The television crew followed a four-person team through sixty-three miles of biking, twenty-two miles on foot, nineteen miles of kayaking across a lake (complete with a storm and lightning), and a frigid swim across Button Hook Bay. Not only did the competitors have to complete this grueling course, but also find a series of mandatory checkpoints and optional controls. Whew!

Team members encouraged one another, talking, keeping mental and physical tabs on each person’s progress. The race couldn’t be completed alone and each member was needed.

Life’s challenges often stack up like an adventure race, and the trials seem daunting. I have friends who recently lost loved ones, some who struggle daily with pain and illness, and others who need help or a listening ear. The needs stretch far and wide.

We weren’t meant to travel these roads alone. No matter who you are, you have a purpose. We need you on the team to love and be loved. Whether in person, through letters, e-mails, phone calls, messages, or in prayer – you are needed.

There is life to live and a race to run. Encourage one another, and keep the dialogue open both horizontally and vertically. Stay prayerfully alert. Have eyes, hands, feet, and ears ready at all times to give and receive Christ’s love.

My friend, you are on the team. The race may seem daunting at times, but you are never alone, never without hope, always loved, and forever safe on God’s Team.

Heavenly Father thank You that in the race of life I’m on Your heavenly winning team!

“…So speak encouraging words to one another. Build up hope so you’ll all be together in this, no one left out, no one left behind. I know you’re already doing this; just keep on doing it.” ~ 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (MSG)

“So now we must cling tightly to the hope that lives within us, knowing that God always keeps his promises! Discover creative ways to encourage others and to motivate them toward acts of compassion, doing beautiful works as expressions of love.” ~ Hebrews 10:23-24 (TPT)

From Living Joyfully Free Volume 2 by Lisa Buffaloe, Amazon – https://amzn.to/2WZywOO