From the College Chaplain

We are in the season of Cross Country Championships and I am reminded of the following story. 

In the 1968 Olympics within the stadium in Mexico City, the stands had gone dark after an extremely busy day of some of the finest track and field events in the history of the Olympics. All that remained inside the stadium were a few officials, the clean-up crew, and a handful of reporters who were filing their reports. Out of nowhere, a runner in his country's track uniform half hobbled and half ran into the stadium. He was Tanzanian marathon runner John Akhwari, who was literally hours behind the official last-place finisher. 

Early in the race, he had fallen to the ground, gashing his knee and also causing a dislocation. He also smashed his shoulder against the pavement. Most observers assumed Akhwari would pull out and go to the hospital. Instead, he received medical attention and returned to the track to continue his race.

Determined to finish, he limped around the track with the bandage on his leg flapping and crossed the finish line. 

One of the reporters ran out to the track to ask this runner why he bothered to finish the race since he was obviously hurting and no one would even count him as a finisher. The injured runner looked up at the reporter and said, "My country did not send me over 5,000 miles to start the race but rather to finish it."

This man persevered, endured the pain, and finished the race. What a hero!

What do you need to do today to sustain your life, your faith, family, or health over the long haul? Is there something which you need to wholeheartedly persevere to finish the race of life well?

In life, we either choose the pain of discipline or the pain of regret. 

The Book of Hebrews Chapter 12, verses 1-3 reminds us:

We must be determined to run the race that is ahead of us.  2  We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete. He endured the shame of being nailed to a cross, because he knew later on he would be glad he did. Now he is seated at the right side of God's throne!  3 So keep your mind on Jesus, who put up with many insults from sinners. Then you won't get discouraged and give up.