You ask, what is our aim? I can answer in one word. It is victory. Victory at all costs – Victory in spite of all terrors – Victory, however long and hard the road may be, for without victory there is no survival.
Chicago Marathon: 45,000 Registered, 33,000+ started, 31,401 Finished
My Stats:
- Finished in 4:25:11
- Place: 11, 386
- Average Pace: 10:06
Well, we did it! Pastor Larry and I both crossed the finish line! The entire marathon was such an amazing event so I want to take a few days to talk to you about what the race was like, some things I leaned during the race, and what ministries can learn from the Chicago Marathon!
Today I just want to focus on one word: Victory. I love that quote by Winston Churchill! In fact, it really helped push me through in the tough times of the marathon. I had to keep telling myself Victory at all costs…at all costs…at all costs. I was absolutely fine while running for the first 18 miles, but shortly after that the temperature rose, I hit a wall, and to began thinking things like “this is so stupid, why am I doing this?” “I’ll never do this again”. Those last 8 miles were brutal! I remember around mile 22 there was a Christian group and one woman was holding up a sign that really pushed me through to the end. It said “You’re anointed to finish!”
I think thats a huge lesson in our lives… we’re anointed to finish what God has called us to do. Yes, there will be tough times, tough decisions, and we will need to keep fighting the good fight of faith. However, we need to realized that what God has called us to do, He has equipped us to do and we are anointed to finish and complete the mission that He has for us.
I remember the marker that said I have 1 mile to go. It’s funny how 1 mile can seem like 5,000 miles at the end of a marathon. That last mile was a huge battle for me… I had to give it everything I had. I’ll never forget when I came around the last corner and saw the finish line .2 of a mile away. I ran as hard as I could to cross that finish line. As I crossed… I almost starting weeping (there were too many people around to cry). However, the feeling that I had when I finished and they put that medal around my neck was indescribably. I had given it everything, I had conquered my goal, and came out victorious. I think Vince Lombardi said it well:
“I firmly believe that any man’s finest hour, the greatest fulfillment of all that he holds dear, is the moment when he has worked his heart out in a good cause and lies exhausted on the field of battle-victorious.”
YOU’RE ANOINTED TO FINISH!
If you would like to see official pictures of me in the marathon click here. (They will not be completely done uploading pictures until Wednesday or Thursday.)
