Run For Your Life

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it." 1 Corinthians 9:24

As I laid on the floor in pain gasping for air, I cried out to God. You see, I was a runner at a very young age and always did great in Track and Field. However, I struggled to pass my exams to get into high school. After several months, I finally got an athletic scholarship, but all the races were on Saturdays (Sabbath).

My family was Seventh Day Adventist so I should not have been competing on the Sabbath. I competed anyways and eventually got a scholarship to college. While in college, I represented Jamaica in the Olympics and attended the World University Games, Pan-American Games, etc. I did very well in Track and Field, but never felt comfortable competing on Sabbath when I should have been at church.

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"I WILL RE-COMMIT MY LIFE TO YOU"

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During my junior year, I started getting really bad stomach cramps, but I kept on training. One night while I was alone in the gym, a horrible pain grab me. There was no one else around to help. I remember only the emergency light was on in the gym. All I could do was lay on the floor in a fetal position. As I laid on the cold concrete floor, I prayed "God get me out of this and I will re-commit my life to you."

Within seconds of saying that prayer, I had no more pain. The pain disappeared instantaneously. I got up, cooled down, went to my car, and drove home. Once I got home, I took my spikes and throw them in the back of the closet. Instead of practicing that week, I started studying the Bible. The following Sabbath I attended church and slowly began knowing God personally for myself. I got re-baptized and never looked back or thought about picking up those running shoes again.

- Contributed by VM.