John Stephen Akhwari

John Stephen Akhwari represented Tanzania in the 1968 Olympics at Mexico City. Akhwari’s event was the marathon, a grueling 26.2 mile race.

Early in the race he fell and severely cut his calf. He also injured his knee in the fall, but despite the painful injury, he was determined to keep running. Bystanders tried to get Akhwari to drop out of the race and get some medical attention, but he refused to do so. Each step was excruciating, but he was set on finishing the race.

Long after all the other runners had finished the race, the runner from Tanzania entered the stadium and headed for the finish line. The remaining spectators cheered in appreciation; they knew that they were witnessing an amazing moment.

After the race, a reporter asked Akhwari why he had not dropped out of the race, since he could not possibly win and he was in so much pain. He replied, “My country did not send me to Mexico City to start the race. They sent me to finish.”

The Bible compares the Christian life to running a race. Let us be reminded that Jesus does not merely call us to begin the race; he expects us to finish it!

“You were running a good race. Who cut in on you and kept you from obeying the truth? That kind of persuasion does not come from the one who calls you.”—Galatians 5:7-8.