At the 1968 Mexico Olympics Marathon event, one of the runners, John Stephen Akhwari of Tanzania, finds himself trapped in the middle of some other runners several miles into the race. Unable to see well, he falls and hurts his leg horribly. He watches, anguished, as the other racers continue. John Stephen Akhwari will not win the marathon on this day. He has trained for years to come to Mexico City only to fail, 19km into the race…or has he?
The 42km race was won by Mamo Wolde, an Ethiopian.
Over an hour has passes by, it's getting dark, the last of the crowd are leaving the stadium. Suddenly, the stadium gate is opened up, to the sounds of police sirens. Then a lone runner stumbles into the stadium, for his last lap. It is John Stephen Akhwari.
He hobbles, painfully on his bandaged leg, in great pain with every step. He knew 3hrs before he could not win the race, but he continued all the same. Finally, after 3hours and 25 minutes, he crosses the finish line and collapses.
"Why", someone asked him, "didn't you stop after injuring yourself?" After all, there was no way he could win the race. John's response was "My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race, they sent me to FINISH THE RACE."
Perseverance is a powerful weapon. With God's strength... you can!
2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Revelation 2:10
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
The 42km race was won by Mamo Wolde, an Ethiopian.
Over an hour has passes by, it's getting dark, the last of the crowd are leaving the stadium. Suddenly, the stadium gate is opened up, to the sounds of police sirens. Then a lone runner stumbles into the stadium, for his last lap. It is John Stephen Akhwari.
He hobbles, painfully on his bandaged leg, in great pain with every step. He knew 3hrs before he could not win the race, but he continued all the same. Finally, after 3hours and 25 minutes, he crosses the finish line and collapses."Why", someone asked him, "didn't you stop after injuring yourself?" After all, there was no way he could win the race. John's response was "My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race, they sent me to FINISH THE RACE."
Perseverance is a powerful weapon. With God's strength... you can!
2 Timothy 4:7
"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith."
Revelation 2:10
"Do not fear any of those things which you are about to suffer. Indeed, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and you will have tribulation ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life."
No comments:
Post a Comment