In the outdoor documentary film Beyond Parallels (directed by Ariane Moisan and Laurent Poliquin, 2025) adventurer Nic has a serious injury that jeopardizes his ability to continue his epic travel quests. With a faithful ortho-rehab schedule, he is able to embark, with friends, on another trip across Canada from the Northwest to East via canoe, bike, and on foot. Throughout the journey Nic is joined by friends, including his partner, Laurence, who has herself had a significant injury after being hit by a car, that limits her knee mobility and endurance. As in all compelling outdoor films, obstacles ensue, including a large portage of the canoes across dense brush and uneven terrain. This challenge is especially difficult for Laurence, but it is here we see the team share in carrying the burden of the trek. Other members of the team are shouldering heavier loads to lighten hers so the group can make their rendezvous point together and without further injury. There is no ego hindering the efforts and no time for shame at needing help. They are a team, with a common goal: making it across Canada! The same is true for our adventures as disciples of Christ. There will be times when our frailty as humans in a broken world will require more of us than what we can do on our own. There will be times when we have more than we need and can serve those around us, not because we too aren’t tired or sore, or don’t have our own needs, but because we have a common adventure, one that Jesus paved the way for. We endure, celebrate, and grow in the power of Jesus through love and service of one another. What does it look like to wash the feet of my fellow traveler today?
