In a story titled “World’s easiest marathon? ‘Woke’ LA race gives runners medals at mile 18,” published by The Times earlier this week, it was reported that participants of the iconic LA Marathon were allowed to bow out early while still receiving a medal, on account of unusually high temperatures.
“If you’re having a tough day and want to end your race before [mile] 26.2, you can choose to take the turn at mile 18 and head into the finish line early,” the McCourt Foundation, which hosted the event, said on Friday. It made the decision as forecasters announced temperatures of 30.6C (87F) in the city, a near-record for the time of year.
The foundation, which raises money to find cures for neurological conditions, told runners: “There is no shame in making a smart decision for your body. You will still receive your finisher medal and any challenge medal you’ve earned, and your official race results will be updated at a later date to reflect your time and mileage.”
While some embraced the decision as a necessary safety measure, others mocked the news. “People who don’t finish the marathon can identify as people who do finish the marathon,” said Lisa Cusack, a Los Angeles Republican official. The New York Post accused the race of going “woke”.
And while “woke” has many definitions, it is often used to describe someone who is overly politically correct, self-righteous, or who imposes liberal, far-left ideologies on others. It can also be defined, as in this case, a company or organization that has gone overboard to make their events accessible to all at the detriment of others. Hence the reason The New York Post accused the race of going “woke.” And rightly so.
You see, allowing runners to bow out at mile 18 made a mockery of all the marathon stands for (hard work, grit, and the determination to press on despise all conditions) and allowed those runners who didn’t want to “push themselves” to stop early (aka take the easy path) and still receive a medal along with those who chose the difficult path and didn’t let “a hard day” keep them from making it to the actual 26.2 mile finish line.
“Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Thankfully, God’s standards are anything but “woke” and will never ever change. For this reason, many people will choose to avoid the narrow road (and take the 18 mile finish), because “difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
"Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’" Matthew 22:37
You see, obtaining the reward of eternal life requires strictly adhering to the rules and finishing the race. It requires not merely saying you follow Jesus, but living in such a way that shows that you love Him with “all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind."
Why? Because there is no other way—something Jesus made abundantly clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Why? Because there is no other way—something Jesus made abundantly clear when He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Did you get that "except" part? That means there are no exceptions... not even one. There is only ONE way to the Father, and that's "by the narrow gate."
So, knowing that there is only ONE way to salvation and that the road to heaven is a difficult one, vow now to stay in the race until the end my friend. Although “many” will choose the broad or easy road, stay the course and you’ll be richly rewarded in the end for doing so.
Heavenly Father, thank You for laying out the race rules so that we will have no excuse for the consequences that come from taking the easy path. Lord, no matter how difficult the race becomes, help us to stay the course until the very end and inspire others to do the same so that we will take hold of the prize of eternal life. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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