This weekend, I helped out at one of my husband’s race events. There were men and women there from a non-profit organization whose mission is to honor, empower, and motivate our nation’s wounded military and law-enforcement veterans through physical, mental, and emotional rehabilitation. It touched my heart when I saw them all because they were not only going to participate in our race, but they would also be doing other extensive training there, too.

Some had lost limbs while in combat overseas. Some were injured while in the police force. One man was partially blind in one eye from a bomb explosion while serving a deployment. And some had injuries that we couldn’t “see.”

I stood there watching as they were in full gear, masks on, in 100-degree weather, service dogs ready to go, and some wearing backpacks that weighed as much as a child. They didn’t know what lay ahead, but they were ready to help one another along the way. They were ready to do whatever it took to finish the race.

As they neared the end of the finish line, we all lined up and cheered them on. It brought tears to my eyes because I know they each have a story — story of a life experience full of joy, trials, and hardships. It’s a journey that led them to where they are today.

It made me think about those who love and serve God. We are warriors for Him. We put on the Armor of God every day for unknown battles that we can’t see. We don’t know what lies ahead of us, but we have each other to lean on and pray with.

The men and women from the group we watched knew they needed each other to finish this mission, just like we know we need God and our spiritual family. When we face trials in life, we know that God will help us. He gives us the strength that we need. We trust in Him and know that we can do ALL things through Christ.

We are all running a race in life. It’s not so that we can be the only winner — in God’s race, we want everyone to win.

“Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee.” (Deuteronomy 31:6)

This article has undergone ministry review and approval.