Race for the Cure Start Line
A few weekends ago I had the huge privilege of joining our youth group and adults at the Race for the Cure in St. Petersburg, FL. I did not run but was the designated photographer. You can see some of my handiwork here.
10K Runners
5K Runners & Walkers
I honestly went somewhat begrudgingly to support my family as my wife and 3 of our children ran in the event (Lindsey & Shawn ran the 10K, and Terri & Rebecca ran the 5K). I was none too thrilled about getting up at 4am but little did I know of what a special day it would be.
The reason that our youth went to this event was due to our Youth Minister, Sarah Kuhns, who led and trained the youth and adults who participated. Somewhere around the beginning of the summer Sarah invited anyone who would like to to come together several mornings a week to run and exercise. I was impressed with how many people enthusiastically participated.Therefore, the Race for the Cure was a huge accomplishment for them as they trained all summer for this special day.
I was first amazed at how many people (and dogs) participated in this event. I was also blessed not only seeing my kids running and getting in shape but also an unexpected pleasant surprise was that our group raised approximately $2,500. Our youth also were taught the importance of taking care of our bodies, or as the Bible says, the temple of the Holy Spirit. Also, they learned the importance of serving others, especially needs outside of the church family. We, the church, should lead our world in acts of compassion just as Jesus had when He encountered the needs of the world. This was preach volumes more than any sermon ever could to a hurting world!
Another blessing that occurred for me happened at the finish line. Since this was the Race for the Cure, which raised money and awareness for breast cancer it was understandably an emotional event. First, they had people in the race who were survivors of Breast Cancer. Some were the picture of health and others still looked like they were still suffering the affects of the cancer and/or the treatments. Every time that a survivor would walk or run across the finish line a volunteer would yell out “Survivor.” You could see the pride on their faces and the sense of determination and victory over cancer and in finishing the race. What was also moving about the event is that many of the runners wore pink signs on their clothes with the name of a loved who either has breast cancer or who has since died. Many of them would run across the finish line with smiles or in tears holding up the sign with their loved ones names. I choked up several times seeing this.
One final piece of this even that struck me as people were crossing the finish line are the words in Hebrews 12:1-3, “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Just as we were at the finish line cheering on runners that we did and did not know so all of heaven is cheering us on as we struggle and give our best in this life to faithfully finish the race set before us. We are now in the marathon of the Christian life approaching finishing the line. One day we will all celebrate the eternal victory that is our in Christ Jesus. Until then we will do well to also remember the words of the Apostle Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:24-25, “Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever.” Thanks be to God for that everlasting crown to come. Until then, through the power and training of the Holy Spirit we will be overcomers in this life as we keep our eyes on Jesus!
