In an inspiring story titled “74-year-old runner completes 100th marathon,” published by WFMZ News yesterday, the writer said, "For most runners, finishing a marathon is the achievement of a lifetime. But one senior citizen achieved a larger milestone after finishing a marathon this weekend. Mike Oliver crossed the line in Iowa on Sunday morning, capping off a journey that's taken him across the country. The 74-year-old runner completed his 100th marathon. Oliver said the journey started decades ago when his mother encouraged him to keep running after his 10th race. He's been part of the local marathon ever since.
This year's finish line in downtown Moline capped off decades of races across the country, including a personal goal he reached just last year: completing marathons in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. "Some of them were pretty intriguing and interesting, with nice scenic routes, for example - the one in Redding, California was very challenging because there were a lot of hills involved," Oliver said. Oliver is also now one of just 11 runners who have completed every Quad Cities Marathon in Iowa since the first race 28 years ago. The group calls itself the "Interstate Road Warriors" because the course crosses from Illinois into Iowa and back again.
Oliver says that runners can expect him there next year as he doesn't plan on slowing down anytime soon."
And, you know, Mike is quite a role model if you ask me. At an age when most people are slowing down, or at least planning to slow down, he plans on moving forward. And he can do this because he has kept himself in prime shape for it. You see, for decades Mike has been running 26.2 mile races which means he has made exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep a habit—because believe me, a person can run a marathon or two without establishing healthy habits but will never be able to continue doing it for decades. Which is why it pays dividends to treat your body well at all stages of life.
This is a principle that applies especially to believers since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who resides in us, "whom we received from God." Because of that, we are not our own but belong to Christ, who paid a very high price for our salvation. For this reason, we are to honor God with our bodies—-something we do by treating our temples well, thereby keeping them serviceable for life.
In the same way an athlete trains to be prepared for a race, we must train to be prepared for the missions field. We must exercise our bodies and our minds, eat right, rest as needed, get ample sleep, and most importantly read the Word each and every day, with no plans of slowing down in our mission to serve the Lord! After all, as I said before, being an ambassador of Christ is a lifetime position!
So, remember that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit my friend. And just as you wouldn’t dream of letting the temple where you worship fall into disarray, don’t let it happen to your body either. Take care of the temple God gave you so that you can serve Him with your whole heart now and well into old age.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have no right to do with our bodies what we choose since they belong to You. Help us to understand the enormity of that truth that we might set ourselves apart from the world by the way we treat our bodies, carefully guarding what goes into our mouths, ears, and eyes and making the time to exercise our bodies and our minds through daily activity and Bible study. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running
And, you know, Mike is quite a role model if you ask me. At an age when most people are slowing down, or at least planning to slow down, he plans on moving forward. And he can do this because he has kept himself in prime shape for it. You see, for decades Mike has been running 26.2 mile races which means he has made exercise, eating right, and getting enough sleep a habit—because believe me, a person can run a marathon or two without establishing healthy habits but will never be able to continue doing it for decades. Which is why it pays dividends to treat your body well at all stages of life.
This is a principle that applies especially to believers since our bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who resides in us, "whom we received from God." Because of that, we are not our own but belong to Christ, who paid a very high price for our salvation. For this reason, we are to honor God with our bodies—-something we do by treating our temples well, thereby keeping them serviceable for life.
“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.” 2 Corinthians 5:20 NIV
Think about it this way. Each and every one of us is called to be an ambassador of Christ. This is a lifetime position! And a position that, if we are to serve well, requires us to be our best at every stage of life. We have to be ready to go when God calls us to go which means we have to be physically, spiritually, and mentally ready at all times—something that requires intention.
In the same way an athlete trains to be prepared for a race, we must train to be prepared for the missions field. We must exercise our bodies and our minds, eat right, rest as needed, get ample sleep, and most importantly read the Word each and every day, with no plans of slowing down in our mission to serve the Lord! After all, as I said before, being an ambassador of Christ is a lifetime position!
So, remember that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit my friend. And just as you wouldn’t dream of letting the temple where you worship fall into disarray, don’t let it happen to your body either. Take care of the temple God gave you so that you can serve Him with your whole heart now and well into old age.
Heavenly Father, thank You for reminding us that we have no right to do with our bodies what we choose since they belong to You. Help us to understand the enormity of that truth that we might set ourselves apart from the world by the way we treat our bodies, carefully guarding what goes into our mouths, ears, and eyes and making the time to exercise our bodies and our minds through daily activity and Bible study. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running
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