Faith to finish

"Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, 'Go, throw yourself into the sea,' and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them." Mark 11:23

The reasons people choose to run can be as varied as the runners themselves. Running has a way of connecting the dots in our search for answers to life's "whys". For some, the question is bigger than for others. Why me Lord? Why this? Cedric King stepped on an IED in Afghanistan on July 25, 2012 leaving him a bilateral (one leg amputated above-the-knee and the other leg below-the-knee) amputee. He said that he didn't know if he would ever walk again but became the first bilateral amputee to complete the Boston Marathon in April. Then on September 27, 2014, he went on to complete the Half Ironman Triathlon in Augusta, Georgia .... well sort of. Depends on who you ask. 

The race had a time limit of 8 hours and 30 minutes beginning after the last wave crossed the starting line. The race was shut down as scheduled but Cedric wasn't done yet. He had missed the cutoff (and was aware that he was now disqualified) but was determined to finish even as the mile markers were taken away and the volunteers packed up the supplies and left the aid stations. After nearly 12 grueling hours, he crossed the finish line to a faithful crowd of about a dozen supporters. Although he received a medal, he was officially awarded a DNF (Did Not Finish). But to the crowd watching and all the other people he will go on to inspire, he not only completed the race, he won it. He conquered the mountain before him.

Romans 8:28 reminds us that, "God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them."   While we may not always understand the "whys" of life - why bad things happen to us or the people we love, faith will allow us to move past our circumstances and achieve things only possible through Christ.  May you find the faith to move the mountains holding you back from the person God is calling you to be today. 

"Faith helps me believe in a brighter future. Faith keeps me going—this didn't happen for nothing. I believe in a higher power who loves me enough to say, ‘I’m not doing this to hurt you, I’m doing this to help you.'” - Cedric King

Heavenly Father, thank You for people who remind us that we can do all things through your strength and power. May those hurting and questioning their current situation, turn to You to guide them. May they find the courage to trust You to lead them over the mountains in their way. We ask this in your precious name we pray, Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!

www.team413.org

Faith to Believe - Shane and Shane

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a9xsUmo_zRA

http://travisthemovie.com/blog/tuesday-feature-interview-sfc-cedric-king-2014-08-13/

http://www.runnersworld.com/runners-stories/double-amputee-completes-ironman-703-in-georgia