A Matter of Faith--How will you finish your race?

A Matter of Faith--How will you finish your race?

By Carol Round

"Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall
I send? And who will go for us?' And I said, 'Here am
I. Send me!'" -- Isaiah 6:8 (NIV).

A 10-year-old Edmond, Oklahoma boy's handwritten letter
to a TV station has captured people's hearts, not only
in this country but worldwide. Tobias Bass' letter
didn't ask for money. He just wanted to borrow a
jogging stroller so he could push his older brother,
Titus, in a 5K race.

Titus, who is a year older, has cerebral palsy. Tobias,
who wants to be an Army pastor when he grows up, is
determined his brother will get outside and have fun.
In his letter to Channel 9 news, Tobias said, "My
brother is 11 and has cerebral palsy and is deaf and
lost his stomach last year. He cries when he sees kids
playing outside and wants to go too.

"So I decided I would start by pushing him in a 5k and
we would work our way up to an Ironman contest someday.
So our first 5k where I push him is Friday night at
John Marshall High School on September 27 at 6:00 p.m.
Here's the part I need help with. My mom is a teacher
and can't afford one of those fancy running pushing
joggers, and all I have to use is a baby pushing
stroller. I don't think it will fit Titus, my brother.
Can you go on the news and not ask Oklahomans to give
me anything, but can someone loan me a jogger pusher so
I can push Titus in the 5k?"

In his letter to the news station, Tobias added, "If
someone can loan me a pusher, I will volunteer myself
out to any other parents who want me to run their
disabled children in a 5k. I can be the legs for more
than one kid."

Tobias told the newscasters he was physically ready
because "he plays sports and practices jujitsu at
school." He added that he is spiritually ready after
being mentored by his local pastor, whom he said told
him, "We have to be God's hands and feet."

In his penned letter, Tobias added, "But I'm going to
be his legs, too."

Tobias celebrates being able to push his brother,
Titus, after the generous donation of a jogging
stroller. With the help of the TV station, Tobias
received his jogging stroller. It wasn't a loaner
though. The Oklahoma Able Tech, contacted by Channel 9
news, gave Tobias a brand new one so he could push his
brother in the race. Though he had only practiced using
an empty infant stroller before the race, Tobias ran
the 3.2 miles pushing his older brother to the finish
line.

In Acts 20, Paul leaves the Ephesian elders with this
encouragement, "However, I consider my life worth
nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and
complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me--the task
of testifying to the good news of God's grace."

At 10, Tobias is already the hands and feet of Jesus. 

How will you finish your race? 

  -- Carol Round
  Columnist/Author/Speaker