Finishing the Race …

“… for blessed is he that endureth to the end.” – Alma 18:2

Some may remember the final moments of the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City. The closing ceremonies had been completed. All were preparing to leave the stadium when the announcer asked them to remain in their seats. Police sirens could be heard and many could see motorcycles with their flashing blue lights encircling someone making their way toward the stadium. Whoever it was, they were moving slowly.

By the time the police escort arrived at stadium, the public address announcer said that a final marathoner would be making their way into the arena and around the track to the finish line. Confusion was evident among the crowd. The last marathoner had come in hours ago. The medals had already been awarded. What had taken this man so long? But the first sign of the runner making his way out of the tunnel and onto the track told the whole story.

John Stephen Akhwari from Tanzania, covered with blood, hobbled into the light. He had taken a horrible fall early in the race, hurt his head, damaged his knee, and endured a trampling before he could get back on his feet. And there he was, nearly 25 miles later, stumbling his way to the finish line.

The response of the crowd was so overwhelming, it was almost frightening. They encouraged Akhwari through the last few yards of his race with a thundering ovation that far exceeded the one given the man who, hours earlier, had come in first. When Akhwari crossed the finish line, he collapsed into the arms of the medical personnel who immediately whisked him off to the hospital.

The next day, Akhwari appeared before sports journalists to field their questions about his extraordinary feat. The first question was the one any of us would have asked, “Why, after sustaining the kinds of injuries you did, would you ever get up and proceed to the finish line, when there was no way you could possibly place in the race?” John Stephen Akhwari replied: “My country did not send me to start a race. They sent me to finish one.”

John Akhwari remained faithful to the task that he had been given and it required personal sacrifice and a determination to the very end. Paul encourages us to no less using our Savior as the example:

“… let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1-2

We must come to a point in our commitment to the gospel and our conviction of its truth that our response to whatever challenges that commitment is predetermined. Our testimony of this work and His church isn’t a hypothesis in science, which may be supported by evidence one day and destroyed the next. It is a conviction based on the evidence of things not seen – it is a conviction based on the assurance of things hoped for. It is grounded in faith. The just live by faith.

At times we may have to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel. Paul tells us that there have been many that the world is not worthy of that have been stoned, sawn asunder, slain with the sword, destitute, afflicted, wandered in deserts and in dens and caves of the earth but through their sufferings they were made perfect and our faith is strengthened knowing that God provided better things for them through their suffering.

It is not enough to just know where the finish line is; we have to be prepared and willing to crash through the quitting points we encounter on our way to it. Paul personally understood what it meant to remain faithful (endure) to the end no matter the trial, suffering or difficulty. He also understood the reward as he wrote to Timothy:

“… I have finished my course, I have kept the faith; Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day; and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-8

It is hard to say how John Stephen Akhwari must have felt when he crossed the finish line. Physically, he had nothing left. All his might and strength had been given in keeping his commitment to the task he had been given to represent his country in arguably the most demanding event of the Olympics. In his soul though, he must have rejoiced knowing he endured to the end.

Let us remain true and faithful to the task we have been given, personally and corporately, no matter the cost. The tokens already appear. The sirens are blaring around us. The finish line is in sight — but the last mile is the most difficult. May God be with us as we press forward, keeping our eye single to his glory, feasting upon his words and enduring to the end. Our prize will be great for:

“… thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.” – 2 Nephi 13:30