“This is not happening,” I thought to myself.
10 feet up and plastered against the side of a rock, I listened to the roar of the water as it cascaded down the falls. The sound took me back to that fateful day in August, just a few months back, when another waterfall almost took my life.
But here I was, attempting to climb up a waterfall that was 1000 feet high, and suddenly wondering if this was such a good idea. Now why on earth would I attempt something after almost drowning? I honestly have no idea.
Our staff had been blessed with the opportunity to cruise the Caribbean in early January, so we’d decided to do a group excursion to Dunn’s River Falls in Jamaica, our port of call for the day. It wasn’t until actually entering the park that I had realized what I’d signed up for. But, factoring in the $20 for all day bus fare, the $15 entrance fee, $7 for water shoes and my stuff already being put in a locker, I made the only logical, cost-maximizing decision:
I would climb the falls.
Only now, I was starting to regret that decision, and wondering how I was going to get myself out of this fix. Climbing up was bad enough, but climbing down would probably be worse. Much higher chance of slipping and falling… So now what?
“You okay?” The question jolted me out of my thoughts. It was Taryn, one of my fellow staff members, who’s always been like a big brother to me. Seeing my legs shaking and knowing about my ordeal 4 months back, he’d come to check on me.
“Come on, we’ll climb together. I’ll be with you the whole way.” So we did, step by step, through the currents and over the rocks. And before long, we were at the top, sitting on a little plateau amidst gentle currents, surveying the view out to the ocean. We’d conquered the falls.
The Gift of Partnership
It’s pretty obvious I wouldn’t have made it up the falls if not for Taryn reaching out and helping. But I suppose that’s the beauty of the story. Triumphs don’t always have to be on a solo basis, and when it comes to campus ministry, it seems to me like we’d have a much higher success if we work together, partner and help each other out.
Whether it’s praying for one another, sharing office space, loaning equipment, giving financially or just calling someone to check in, it all makes a difference. If we want to impact our communities for Christ, it first begins by loving our fellow co-laborers and family in Christ, and letting that love spread throughout the campus.
So as we begin a new semester on our campuses, here’s my challenge: Look around and see what are the ways that you can help other ministries. And ask yourself, where are areas that you might need help? And then be willing to accept it. After all, if you want to give, you must also be willing to receive.
“ Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” – Luke 6:38