“And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire…” (Jude 1:22-23)
This year, thousands of runners finished the grueling 26.2 miles of the 123rd Boston Marathon. Amazingly, even many who were in wheelchairs were able to complete the entire marathon.
There were some incredible stories of people who were running, including one man who was running in memory of his fiance who was killed after she ran the last marathon.
But amidst all of the stories, one stood out from the rest. What made this story so special wasn’t about what had happened before the race, but what actually happened during the race.
Micah Herndon, a Marine, was running the Boston Marathon in honor of three fallen comrades. That was special, but that wasn’t the unusual part.
For most of the race, Micah had done well, but suddenly things fell apart. Around the 22nd mile, his legs began to cramp. He fell down because his legs literally stopped working. But, being the Marine that he is, Micah wasn’t going to let his legs locking up stop him from honoring these three men.
His three friends were killed in a bombing in Afghanistan in 2010. Micah survived and he wasn’t going to give up for them in this marathon until he crossed the line.
To everyone’s amazement, he literally crawled the last four miles to the finish line on his hands and knees!
When I read his story, it got me to thinking. If a man is willing to run 22 miles and literally crawl another four miles for people who had already died, what are WE willing to do to reach those who ARE dying without Christ?
Micah would rather crawl than quit. To what lengths are we willing to go to get the Gospel to those who need it most?