I sighted Sabina stumbling towards the finish line, where I was handing out the winning cards at the 2015 Yei Students’ Marathon last October in South Sudan and was pained when she eventually collapsed, some 15-20 meters from the finish line.
Screams in various cords and calls of, “Get up! Get up!! Get up!!!” from sympathizing onlookers charged the Square as Sabina lay there, motionless.
Someone rushed to pick her up, but I protested; as we all watched with much concern.
She would have been the 8th girl across the line had she managed to maintain her unsteady steps for just a few more seconds. By the time she recovered, lifted off the ground and stumbled across the line, she’d missed the last scholarship position. Ten slots were at stake for girls. She came in 14th.
I didn’t know how strongly she contested for the laurel until I looked through the pictures; thanks to a masterful work of photography done by a dear disciple.
From the shots, I observed that Sabina led the girls for most of the race. But something began to go wrong about 500m to the finish line.
She’d blasted off the start line with others chasing…
Sabina was fast, she led early and far into the race. But the Race of Life, like this Marathon, is not about speed.
It’s worthy of mention that this other girl, seen here running beside Sabina, eventually won the first position. They tagged along for quite a bit.
At this stage, Sabina began to slow down. Something was wrong. The official seen in the photo was encouraging her… offered some water to cheer her but…
Sabina stumbled to a fall with the finish line just steps away. She lay there for a few seconds that seemed like hours… as other girls ran past her.
Sabina, gutted. Inconsolable. Medical attention couldn’t assuage the shame, nor stop the tears. It was over.
What happened to her? What kind of help did she need but didn’t get? What could she have done better?
Finishing strong has always been one of the key lessons from these marathons over the years. This one carried a heavy punch.
I went in search of Sabina in her school and found her. In the presence of her Headmaster, I asked what happened during the race.
“As I approached Freedom Square (where the race ends), my head began to ache very badly and I struggled so much to maintain my balance. Eventually, I fell and it became so hard to get up from there, but I managed to…”
This girl is definitely a talented athlete but needs coaching. I encouraged her, assured her of my support, invited her to the Winners’ Party and then, gave her the news she wasn’t expecting.
“I’m going to give you the scholarship you missed.”
She was beside herself with joy. Despite her obvious shyness, she couldn’t hide her excitement. I’ll not forget her jubilation and the many thankful remarks.
Grace will always provoke heartfelt worship. That’s what God desires and deserves.
Sabina got off the ground and claimed the 14th position that meant absolutely nothing to her. But she won my heart by just finishing.
Mambo Paul’s testimony of this same Race was different.
He came 6th among the boys and told the story of his struggle and awesome determination to win something at this Marathon.
“As I was going to the Freedom Square to participate in the Marathon that morning, I hit my big toe on a stone and hurt it very badly. When I arrived at the Freedom Square, I immediately went to the medical team for treatment. I was very sad that I’d not even started the race and I’m already injured. But I determined to run, though I felt I might not make it because of the pain from the wounded toe.”
“Soon after the race began, at the Red Stage, I hit the same toe on a stone again and blood was flowing freely from it. I think because I was among the race leaders at that point, I felt encouraged to endure the pain till the end…”
“I was thinking of the scholarship as I ran. I don’t have anyone to pay my school fees, so I had to really struggle to make it…”
“If you were not among the front runners, would you have continued when you injured the same toe a second time?” I asked.
“I don’t think so sir.”
Mambo’s toe was still in plasters as we celebrated at the Party one week after the Race.
At the Winners’ Party, I used these two stories to underscore the reoccurring lessons of the Race of Life.
Like Sabina, we may tire-out, faint or fall; tripped-up by some internal or external injury, feel the shame of being grounded and seemingly left out or surpassed by others.
Nevertheless, like Mambo, we must determine to rise above our present setbacks or pains, and finish the race of life set before us.
Enduring till the end is far more important than the beginning and everything else in-between.
With our eyes always set at the end… the big picture, the Lord Jesus Himself as our Ultimate Prize, we can finish well. They got the message. 11 of 18 winners that attended the Party gave their life to Jesus that afternoon.
May their faith stand the test of time. May these tender steps make an eternal difference, beyond our wildest hopes and prayers.
Even so Lord!
Kingdom Exploits With Uche 