Real heroes-St Jude Marathon 2017

"We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up." Romans 15:1,2

This past Saturday, I was blessed to be one of the 37 runners who made up the official pace team of the 16th annual St. Jude Marathon. And of the 25,000 other runners that we shared the course with, a large number were recognized as St. Jude Heroes-those people who, in addition to running the race, fundraised for the St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Considering that a hero is defined as a person who is admired for their courage, outstanding achievements, or noble qualities, those runners and their supporters who helped raise $10.3 million to support the lifesaving mission of St. Jude this year are most definitely heroes. Wouldn't you agree?

And if a hero is someone known for their noble or righteous qualities, the apostle Paul adds that a Christian hero should also be known for their strength and willingness to, above pleasing themselves, "bear with the failings of the weak"-looking to please or help their "neighbors for their good, to build them up." In other words, being a hero means taking action. It means being a helper, a supporter and a friend. It means loving others enough to use those things God has given you like money, time or talent to give back to someone else. Being a hero means being like Christ in a world in desperate need of Him. 

So if you think you have nothing to offer, no great strengths to speak of, consider this...it took 4,000 volunteers to put this race on.  From the people who worked the water stations and the police who directed traffic to the men and women who placed medals around our necks and served us hot food at the finish line, there were heroes everywhere. And you too can be a hero to someone today. You don't even need a cape. 

Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to be the ultimate example of what it means to be a hero. He always put others first and never failed to help someone in need. May we follow that example in a world that truly needs heroes that others might come to know You because of it. And Lord, I pray that more heroes will step up to help until cancer is permanently cured. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!! 

Love is action - Tauren Wells
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=owS7uJcdDh8

St. Jude Children's Research Hospital is leading the way the world understands, treats and defeats childhood cancer and other life-threatening diseases. It is the only National Cancer Institute-designated Comprehensive Cancer Center devoted solely to children. Treatments invented at St. Jude have helped push the overall childhood cancer survival rate from 20 percent to 80 percent since the hospital opened more than 50 years ago. St. Jude is working to drive the overall survival rate for childhood cancer to 90 percent, and we won't stop until no child dies from cancer. St. Jude freely shares the discoveries it makes, and every child saved at St. Jude means doctors and scientists worldwide can use that knowledge to save thousands more children. Families never receive a bill from St. Jude for treatment, travel, housing or food – because all a family should worry about is helping their child live. Join the St. Jude mission by visiting stjude.org, liking St. Jude on Facebook (facebook.com/stjude) and following us on Twitter (@stjude).