In the 84th Boston Marathon in 1980, Rosie Ruiz (pictured)
was the first woman to cross the finish line. As she climbed to the winner's
podium to accept her wreath, officials noticed that she looked remarkably fresh
and sweat-free for having run two hours and 32 minutes.
Upon investigation, no one could remember seeing her during
the race. Monitors at the race checkpoints hadn't seen her, nor had any of the
runners. Finally, a few members of the crowd came forward to reveal that they
had seen her jump into the race during the final half mile and sprint to the
finish line. Rosie was disqualified, stripped of her title, and became another
member of the Hall of Shame.
Before we condemn Rosie for cheating, let me ask if you have ever cheated on a test? What about cheating at golf?
Cheated on your taxes? Cheated on your spouse? Kept the extra change the
cashier gave you? Probably so. We have no right to cast stones. We’re all
members of the Hall of Shame. We've all done things we're ashamed of.
"There is none righteous, not even one." (Romans 3:10).
The good news is God can forgive cheaters. "If you,
Lord, should mark iniquities, O Lord, who could stand? But there is forgiveness
with Thee." (Psalm 30:3-4) If you need forgiveness, call out to Jesus with
a sincere heart. He will wipe the record clean and give you a new start—so you
can finish running the race of life as a winner. www.kentcrockett.blogspot.com
Find answers to many questions about the Bible at www.makinglifecount.net
