Sent to finish

Greetings:

"I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith." Philippians 4:7 (HCSB).

On October 20, 1968, a dramatic moment took place at the Mexico City Olympics. A few thousand spectators remained in the almost-dark Olympic Stadium awaiting one last runner.

Finally the wail of police sirens ripped the air. As all eyes turned to the gate, a lone runner wearing the colors of Tanzania staggered into the stadium. John Stephen Akhwari was the last contestant to finish the 26-mile contest. He had injured his leg in a fall and entered the track bloodied and crudely bandaged. While he hobbled the final, lonely lap, spectators rose and applauded him as if he had won.

After the race, someone asked him why he had refused to quit. "My country did not send me 7,000 miles to start the race," he replied simply. "They sent me 7,000 miles to finish it."

To help us achieve a strong finish in our race of faith, Jesus Christ promised that "I will never leave you or forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5, HCSB). Just as John Stephen Akhwari knew that his country was standing behind him, we have all of Heaven counting on us to finish the race. Notice, he had some set-backs while he ran, yet these he did not let stop him from his goal. We have started - and there will be set-backs, still let us finish what has been begun.

For Kingdom Education,
Doc