In a heartwarming story published by the Washington Post yesterday, the following was reported: Last place is typically not a cause for celebration. But for Joel Kaufman, bringing up the rear at the New York City Marathon on Sunday was “one of the great moments” of his life. By finishing the race in 8 hours 43 minutes and 34 seconds, Kaufman became the final official finisher of the 26.2-mile race. His rank among the runners: 51,258th place. (More than 100 additional wheelchair and hand-cycle competitors also competed.) Finishing last wasn’t something the 65-year-old Queens resident expected to happen or even knew he had accomplished when he crossed the finish line with both arms raised high around 8:17 p.m. in Central Park. But on Monday, an official for the New York Road Runners, which organizes the New York City Marathon, called Kaufman to inform him that he was the last person to officially cross the finish line. “I was loving every second of it,” Kaufman said of the race. “It wouldn’t have mattered if I was last or a thousand people faster.” Do you just love his joy or what?


And you know, as both a runner and a running coach, I will tell you from experience that nothing can steal a runner’s joy quicker than a pessimistic perspective. What I mean by that is this… a person can rejoice because they are simply able to complete the race (which is the attitude every believer should have) or drop out because they can’t do it in the time or manner they see fit. This is the very reason Paul, while being confined in prison, wrote “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice!” He knew there was always a reason to feel happy because God was always with Him, guiding his steps, setting his pace, and leading him to places where he could share the Gospel. So whether he was in a palace or a prison, Paul had cause for celebration! He didn’t care what ‘place’ he came in, only that God was allowing him to run the race. 


So let us rejoice in all circumstances my friend, knowing that God is with us… directing both our steps and our circumstances to put us in the right place at the right time to share the Good News. Now does that make you want to jump for joy or what? 


Heavenly Father, thank You for being the Source of our joy. Help us to remember that Your ways are not our ways but that Your will is always perfect so that we will be glad at all times. Help us to remember that keeping our joy in all circumstances is what inspires the lost to seek the One who inspires it. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen. 


Happy Running!