In an refreshijg story posted by the BBC yesterday, it was reported that a runner who travelled 4,000 miles (6,437km) to compete in a marathon was shocked and "lost for words" when hundreds of strangers were out on the streets cheering him on and holding homemade signs with his name on them.
Ethan Woodhead, 24, travelled from his home in Guernsey, France to America alone, expecting to complete Sunday's Chicago Marathon without any friends or family supporting him along the route.
Unknown to him, his uncle Phil Woodhead had taken to Facebook to ask people in Chicago if they could surprise his nephew with a cheer as he ran past.
The post attracted thousands of likes and hundreds of comments and shares, with strangers turning out to support him...
His uncle Phil said he was one of his biggest fans...
He said: "There was something in me that hated the idea that nobody would be there to support him, so I thought why not ask people at the marathon to give him a cheer."
By the time the marathon had started he said he had already received "hundreds of messages from strangers saying they will be there supporting him."
"In a world where people are so divided, isn't it so wonderful to see that people are still willing to do something nice for one another without there being anything in it for themselves," he added.
And, you know doing something nice for someone else without there being anything in it for ourselves is exactly how Jesus calls us to live.
Hence the reason He told the disciples and the multitude that had gathered with them on the Sermon on the Plain to “Do to others as you would have them do to you.” Commonly referred to as the Golden Rule, this simple instruction was a powerful challenge to them then, and to us now, to put the needs of others ahead of our own selfish desires.
Notice that Jesus didn’t tell us to treat others the way they treat us. He tells us to treat them the way we would want to be treated. There's a big difference!
Think about those hundreds of strangers who showed up to cheer for a runner they had never met. They had nothing to gain from their efforts. They simply recognized an opportunity to encourage someone and took it.
And while their actions may seem small, imagine the difference they made to a young man who thought he would be running alone.
As believers, we are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus in a world where so many people are running their own difficult races. Some are struggling with loneliness, others are carrying burdens we know nothing about, and many are simply longing for someone to notice them.
And while you and I might not be able to change their circumstances, we can certainly change how they experience them.
A kind word. A thoughtful gesture. A little encouragement. Sometimes that's all it takes to remind someone that they aren't alone.
And here's something else worth remembering. Jesus didn't give us the Golden Rule as a suggestion for when it's convenient. He gave it as a standard for how we should live every single day, even when loving others requires sacrificing our own time, comfort, or convenience.
After all, isn't that exactly what Jesus did for us?So today, let's look beyond ourselves and intentionally treat others the way we would want to be treated. Not because we expect something in return, but because we have already received more love and mercy from Jesus than we could ever deserve.
And who knows? Your simple act of kindness might be exactly the encouragement someone needs to keep running their race.
Heavenly Father, thank You loving us when we didn’t deserve it by sending your one and onlySon to die for our sins. Lord, help us to model this same love to others that we might inspire them to seek the One who inspires this treatment that’s so contrary to the world. It’s in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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