In the 1986 New York City Marathon, almost 20,000 runners entered the race. What is memorable is not who won, but who finished last. His name was Bob Wieland. He finished 19,413th—dead last. Bob completed the New York marathon in 4 days, 2 hours, 47 minutes, and 17 seconds. It was unquestionably the slowest marathon in history—ever. So, what is it that made Bob Wieland’s marathon so special? Bob ran with his arms.
Seventeen years earlier while in Vietnam, Bob’s legs were blown off in battle. He sits on a 15 pound saddle and covers his fists with pads. He uses his arms to catapult himself forward one arm-length at a time. He can run a mile in an hour. That is real endurance in the face of adversity. As the hours turned into days, Bob pushed on in spite of the lack of sleep and fatigue. No doubt, at times he must have felt like he would never reach the end. I’m sure his arms ached and his lungs burned. There must have been many trying times when he was tempted to quit. One full day of pushing was more than admirable. Two days was nothing less than heroic. It’s likely that his friends or family even suggested he stop.
Bob Wieland stands in stark contrast to the culture of quitters that loiter along the path to victory. All the reasons to give-up sound rational. I’m tired. I’ve given it my best shot. I’m not in love any more. What are your reasons? Is your marriage on the rocks? Are you thinking about quitting on the creditors because your debts are overwhelming? Could you be considering giving your two weeks notice at the job because you didn’t receive the raise you think you deserve? Is your relationship with God a wreck? Before you throw in the towel, please accept a little advice from an ex-quitter. If you quit, you don’t change. Your circumstances will change, but your hot temper, critical attitude or unaffectionate nature that has poisoned your marriage will still be there waiting to introduce themselves to your new spouse. Yeah, you can file bankruptcy and the creditors won’t bother you anymore, but your undisciplined spending habits will remain intact, ready to ruin your new start. Go ahead, give the boss your resignation and roast him in the exit interview while you’re at it, but that chip on your shoulder will be obvious to your new boss. You wouldn’t be the first to walk out on God.
You can’t change your spouse. You can’t change your boss and you certainly can’t change God. You can only change you. That change/growth only occurs if you stick it out. Jesus didn’t quit on us when the soldiers were driving nails in his hands and feet. Next time you’re tempted to throw up your hands in surrender, I hope a legless man in a marathon and a lifeless man on a cross encourage you to persevere.
“He that endures to the end shall be saved.” Matthew 10:22
What a reality check! It’s not what place we finish in that will matter, just to say I made it will be worth it all!
Comment by Sonya — February 20, 2007 @ 8:57 am