Getting others to the top

By Jeff Becraft

We really do need one another.

A few years ago, on our Leadership Weekend, I was attempting to go up the climbing wall.  I had tried to do this twice in previous years and could only get about a third of the way up.  They kept telling me to grab hold of such-n-such and I would be like, “Grab hold of what?!  All that is there is this little nub.”

Then several years ago, a giant football player named Jeffery made it half way up.  (Climbing walls are not made for giant football players.)  I said, “That’s it… I have to try again and I have to beat Jeffery.”  And that was my goal.

As I started out this now third year of trying, I got a little over half way and I couldn’t go any further. It wasn’t the height (although I am terrified of heights), I just couldn’t hang on any more. Next to me was our then Chairman, Dan. His body was literally shaking from the physical strain. We were both done. I had accomplished my goal, I had beaten Jeffery, and now it was time to come down.

Then one of our alumni named Walt says, “You’re not coming down, Becraft.”  And they were holding the other end of the rope.  I yelled down, “I’ve already accomplished my goal.” To which I heard back, “You’re not coming down, Becraft.”

And then Old Joe says (we call him Old Joe because he is usually the oldest alumni there), “Mr. Becraft, reach over and grab that yellow rock.” Now the yellow rock had been there all along. But in my exhaustion and spent-ness, I hadn’t noticed it. I made a kind of grunting stretch and snagged it.

To make a long story, long, I eventually got near the top but I still had 3 feet to go… with no more rocks to stand on. I am standing with my elbows on the top of the tower and after several attempts of trying to hoist myself up, was going nowhere. I finally yell down, “Somebody yank on that rope!” and made another last ditch effort.  Actually, I think some angels grabbed me and threw me on top of the platform. I lay there face down for about 5 minutes breathing as hard as I had breathed in my whole life. I didn’t change position at all and after a while, they yell from below, “Becraft, wave your hand or something so we know you are all right.” Without even sitting up or anything, I stick my hand over the side of the wall and they yell, “OK.” Dan eventually joined me. It was one of the most epic moments of our lives.

I got to the top because there was a team of people who got me to the top. We really do need one another.

Take a few moments today and get someone to the top.

Jeff Becraft is the Director Emeritus for Youth Corps and has dedicated much of his life to helping shift the vision of people’s lives. Youth Corps is a life-changing leadership development experience that inspires high school students to be leaders in the Midlands and beyond. You can connect with Jeff at [email protected].