“For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” (Ephesians 2:10)
In the year 2006, Tony Krupicka, ultra-running champion and back-to-nature minimalist ran the Estes Park Marathon (1st, course record), Leadville Marathon (1st), High Mountain 50k (1st, course record), Leadville Trail 100 (1st in 17:01:56, course record), ADT Marathon (1st, course record) and the Rocky Raccoon 100 (1st in 13:32:20). He regularly runs over 200 miles/week. When asked why he runs, he replied:
“Running for hours and hours through the mountains, deserts and forests has become the primary way in which I can make the most meaningful and deep connection possible with a more primitive, pure human existence that I find to be essential for experiencing the most authentic life possible. Plus, running is obviously a great way to impress girls and allows me to consume obscene amounts of ice cream on a daily basis.[1] "
On July 4th, 2007, Joey Chestnut set a new world record by eating 66 Nathan’s hot dogs and buns in 12 minutes, breaking his previous world record of 59½ hot dogs and buns on June 2nd. Since 2005, Joey has had 13 world records, including eating 59 peanut butter sandwiches in 10 minutes and 103 Krystal hamburgers in 8 minutes, to name a few. As the leading United States ‘gurgitator’, when asked about his success, he replied: “I am the best eater in America.”
It was an amazing moment when, on September 15, 1987, Tony Melendez played his guitar for Pope John Paul II in Los Angeles. What was most amazing was that he played with his feet. A “thalidomide baby”, Tony was born without arms. After playing the song Never Be the Same, a song that seemed ironically fitting, the Pope, visibly moved, left his seat, walked to the stage an reached out to kiss Melendez. Then he applauded with hands raised, saying over and over, “Tony, Tony, Tony.” Then the crowd roared.
When asked later about the experience, he said:
"Tears were just welling up in my eyes," he recalls. "And the Holy Father said, 'My wish for you is that you continue to give hope to others and continue in what you are doing.' It was then I realized that I could do it with just my music.[2]"
All are God’s workmanship. But not all use God’s workmanship to do good works. What God has given, give back to God.
2009©Kent Robson
Soles of Faith #2
[2] www.usatoday.com/news/religion/2005-04-03-pope-profiles-melendez_x.htmSoles of Faith #2
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