Finishing the Race

It was the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City at 7 pm. The race had been over for hours and the medals had been presented over an hour before. The crowd was beginning to stir wondering why closing ceremonies were not advancing. The crowd was silenced by an announcement that a lone runner was approaching the stadium and was a few blocks away. He was requesting Olympic officials allow him to cross the finish line. The crowd somewhat perplexed by this soon caught sight of Tanzanian runner John Stephen Ahkwari as he entered the stadium. He was bloodied and hobbled with injuries he sustained at the starting line of the marathon where he was run over and trampled. The crowd once again was silenced at the sight of the injuries. The silence quickly changed to an incredible roar as they cheered him to the finish line. This was Olympic history and an Olympic first. He was quickly transported for medical treatment. From the hospital, there was one question everyone was asking, Why? His answer made life history, “You don’t understand. My country did not send me 5,000 miles to start a race, they sent me to finish it.”

What an amazing example of commitment and perseverance. As I heard this story, it had me asking myself some questions. How many times had I committed to finish the race and didn't? How well do I respond to life under adversity? It would have been easy and understandable for John Stephen Ahkwari to quit that race but he saw himself called to a larger accountability and responsibility than himself. He was representing his country. I will hold on to this story for awhile as a reminder that I too am called to a higher level of accountability and responsibility. God didn't send me to just start this race. He is challenging me to finish it.