Chaplain’s Chat
In the 1968 Mexico Olympics, a runner from Tanzania called John Stephen Akhwari lined up for the marathon. While not one of the favourites to win a medal, he certainly had demonstrated his capabilities in the lead-up to the Games. However, as the marathon progressed, it was clear that he was not going to figure highly in the placings. The high altitude of Mexico City did not help his breathing, as he had done the bulk of his training at sea level, and his body started to cramp. Then, after a fall with other athletes, he gashed his knee and also smashed his shoulder. Most would have assumed he would pull out of the race. But he battled on. By the time he entered the stadium over ten hours after the start, everyone had finished, the crowds had left, and only the television crews remained. So why did he push on and finish the race? His famous quote on finishing was, “My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start the race. They sent me to finish it.”
Life can be incredibly difficult and even painful at times. The Christian life is no different. We were reminded of this story above on Sunday during our annual Confirmation service. Eight Shore boys stood to declare their intent to follow Jesus for their lives. It can sometimes be hard. And yet they were reminded from Hebrews 11: 1-2: “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith.” God wants us to persevere and continue life trusting in him, right to the end. May this be a verse that encourages all of us to look to Jesus in our lives and persevere to the end.
Rev Anthony Benn
Chaplain
