The Ironman Marathon

Team Hoyt is truly an inspiration.

Rick was born with cerebral palsy. In 1977, Rick told his father that he wanted to participate in a charity function for a local lacrosse player who had been paralyzed in an accident. His father, Dick, who was not a runner, agreed to push Rick in his wheelchair. Since then, Rick (now 44 years old) and Dick (66 years old) have run in several marathons, including the Ironman Competition, a race that tests endurance in three events: swimming, cycling, and running. This amazing father and son team helps give hope to others -- hope for those who feel handicapped and for those who felt they have failed as parents.

Not too long ago, I had a discussion with friends about Paul's message to Timothy about pressing "on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus" (Phil 3:14). Some of us mentioned that our Christian journey is not like a race, but rather a marathon. Our faith in God is tested through many trials, but we know God never leaves us. Like Dick pushing his son in a wheelchair in the races, God pushes us forward so that we might experience the thrill of the journey.

But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Saviour from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. ~~ Philippians 3:20-21