Something stinks

"The righteous hate what is false, but the wicked make themselves a stench and bring shame on themselves." Proverbs 13:5

After winning the Across the Years multi-day running event at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix three times in a row, once by more than 55 miles despite stopping after just 41 hours into the 48-hour-race, officials decided to investigate ultrarunner Kelly Agnew at the 2017 competition on December 28, only to find that something didn't quite "smell" right. In fact, you could say what Kelly did downright stunk. Mike Melton of MCM timing watched Agnew as he participated in the 24-hour race (they have several time options) and discovered that he wasn't clocking in at the halfway checkpoint of the 1.0498-mile loop. Turns out, he was sitting in a latrine for seven minutes and then jumping out to cross the mat at the start/finish at the exact time he needed to keep his “mile pace” consistent. And upon being found guilty of cheating, he was disqualified from the race and stripped of his titles (along with the titles from other ultra events where he was also found to have cheated). Kelly will most likely, however, always hold the title of the runner who has spent the most time in a port-a-potty. 

You know, the Bible clearly tells us that doing "what is false" or engaging in deceitful practices by claiming to do something we did not, only makes ourselves "a stench." And if stench is defined as a strong and very unpleasant smell, you could say that sinful behavior literally makes a person "stink." And, as Christians, we should never be known for living a stinky life-because doing so will not only "bring shame" on ourselves but on the faith we profess to live by. I mean, can you just imagine how people, especially those we are trying to reach, would avoid us if we reaked of dishonesty?

So today and everyday, let us vow to always do what is right that we might be known as men and women of integrity. Because to win by cheating, even if we are never caught, will only leave our character tarnished and our witness ineffective. And that, my friend, would be the biggest “shame”of all.

Heavenly Father, thank you for the examples of men and women in the Bible who lived lives of integrity and, by doing so, won others to Christ. May we always choose to be honest and upright in the way we live our lives at home, on the racecourse, and in the world knowing that winning doesn’t always mean coming in first place but by doing what’s right. It's in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 

Happy Running!!!

The Kingdom of God - Paul Baloche
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSaMF6U9cbM

https://www.runnersworld.com/ultra-marathon/ultra-runner-hides-in-port-a-potty