Lessons From a Mud Run

Several months ago I was asked by my younger brothers to join them in doing a mud run. They wanted it to be a family event. I was intrigued by the thought of doing a mud run, yet it was totally out of my comfort zone. My husband and his family told me I was crazy for even thinking about it. However, I was very honored that my 14, 23, and 24 year old brothers would include me since I have several years on them and two kids. I finally decided that it was worth going out of my comfort zone to have this experience with my brothers.

So the months of training began. Then it was time for the race. The day of the race was cold and rainy. Just what you want to go playing in the mud, right?!

I was a ball of nerves when we got to the race. We checked in and started warming up. As our start time approached, we made our way to the starting line- stretching and jumping around- just trying to stay warm. The air around us was cold, but thankfully the rain had stopped. Finally we were off and running. Our family was there to cheer us on. We crossed the bridge and headed out into the woods for the next 4 miles and 15 obstacles.

Each moment my focus was on the path ahead of me. Taking it one step at a time. One obstacle at a time. Not worrying what was further down the trail. Of course my brothers are a lot faster than me, but my brother Paul had promised to stay with me and help me through the race. He encouraged me the whole time saying, "You can do this," or "You got this, Stacey!" 

As we popped out of the woods for the last few obstacles, our family was there to cheer us on. They would yell out encouragements and advice and cheer when we succeeded. 

As we neared the finish line my focus was on reaching the goal and finishing well. Our last few obstacles were climbing walls, jumping over a fire pit, and getting past the gladiators. To be honest, I don't even remember jumping over the fire pit because I was so focused on getting past those gladiators and crossing the finish line. 

As I have thought back over the mud run, I have thought about running our Christian race. Several verses have come to mind. One passage is Hebrews 12:1-2 which says, "Since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith..." Along the race, we saw muddy jackets, shirts, and gloves that had been left along the trail. Runners had shed that which was holding them back from the finish line. Our sin holds us back as a weight- we are to lay our sins at the cross, looking unto Jesus who is the finisher of our faith. 

As I finished the mud run, I was looking at the finish line. Tackling each obstacle to get me one step closer to my goal. As we run the Christian race, our focus and sight should be set on Jesus.

A verse about encouragement I have thought about is Heb. 10:25, "Let us not give up meeting together as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another." As I ran, Paul was there every step encouraging me. Family and friends were at obstacles cheering us on. Even people alongside us in the race who we didn't even know would encourage us and help us. In our Christian walk, we are to encourage one another and cheer each other on. When someone is there with you cheering for you, it gives you an extra boost, more energy, and the desire to work harder to succeed.

My dad was unable to be in the race due to an injury. However, when I got to the monkey bars covered in mud, he called me over to him. He gave me advice and then proceeded to let me wipe my dirty, grimy hands on his clean pants leg so that I would have a chance to get a grip on that obstacle. Are we willing to get a little messy in order to help those around us get a grip on obstacles in this life? Unfortunately, I have spent too much time looking the other way because I didn't want to get involved. Life can get messy, but I pray that God will help me be willing to reach out my hand to help someone who my be lying face first in the mud. 

I am so grateful for the experience that I had. It was such a special time with my brothers and the rest of my family. You never know what awaits you when you are willing to take that step out of your comfort zone. I never imagined the spiritual illustrations that I would gain from doing a mud run. 

May you be blessed today and may we encourage one another!