Never Give Up

  • Published
  • By Chaplain (Maj.) Olga Westfall
  • 94th Airlift Wing Chaplan Staff
DOBBINS AIR RESERVE BASE, Ga. --  Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us…”

The scene that is set in Hebrews 12 is that of a track and field event. The runners have gathered and the event is about to begin. Although many will compete in each event only one person can finish first. Only one can win the gold. All other competitors will return home having failed to achieve their goal.

Although they are some of the best athletes in the world, many would consider them losers for there can be only one winner. However, in the life of the believer this is not the case. Those who live Godly lives can all be winners. What is necessary for this? It takes sacrifice, determination, focus and endurance.

An amazing story came out of the 1968 Olympics held in Mexico City. The closing ceremonies had just been completed. The spectators and athletes, still warm from the euphoria of the celebration, were gathering their belongings to leave the stadium. Then, the announcer asked them to remain in their seats.

Down the boulevard came the whine of police sirens. Motorcycles with their flashing blue lights, encircled someone making his way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, he was moving slowly.

Everyone remained seated to see the last chapter of the Olympics take place. By the time the police escort got to the stadium, the announcer said that a final marathoner was making his way into the arena and around the track to the finish line.

Confusion filled the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? The first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story.

John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, whacked his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet.

Yet there he was, about 25 miles later, stumbling his way to the finish line. The response of the crowd was so overwhelming it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few feet of his race with a thundering ovation that exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier had come in first.

When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital. The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat.

The first question was the one any of us would have asked, "Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?"

John Stephen Akhwari said this: "My country did not send me over 11,000 kilometers [ about 7,000 miles] to start a race. They sent me over 11,000 kilometers to finish one."

He wasn’t running for himself; he was running for his country, and so he refused to quit. When you are tempted to throw in the towel, remember that you are not running for fame or fortune, but for your God. It doesn’t matter that you may set no world records. It doesn’t matter whether you finish first or last. God has called you to live this life and he expects you to finish the race. Here’s the secret with God. Everyone who finishes gets the gold.

Maybe life has thrown you some curve balls. Maybe you’ve been knocked off your feet. You figure since you’re already down there’s no point in getting back up. But let me ask you, is your heart still beating? Then you are still in the race! God still has more for you to do. Don’t give up! Are you tempted to think that you have put in your time and that your race is over? Determine that you are going to finish strong. You just might accomplish more for God than you ever dreamed possible. Focus on the finish. Run to win. Don’t give up.