What does a wedding anniversary, London marathon and world cup final all have in common?

It goes something like this – on the 11^th of July my wife (Simi) and I will run about 10,000 metres for the Leprosy Mission, celebrate our 1 year wedding anniversary and then watch the 2010 World Cup Final, all in one day. Sounds pretty exhausting, I’m sure it will be. But why are we doing this? These three seemingly disjointed events will merge into one in an action packed day. But we don’t just want it to be an action packed day for the sake of an action packed day, that’s pointless to us. Instead, 1 Corinthians 10:31 comes to mind:

Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. (1 Corinthians 10:31)

Wedding Anniversary

Sunday 11^th July 2010 is our 1 year wedding anniversary. That’s 365 days of being married, a first of many milestones for us and plenty more to come I’m sure. Without any timidity, both of us can say that God’s grace has been good. In fact, He has been so good to us. He has abounded towards us thus far in our pilgrimage in the good times and the not so good times. His faithfulness has been made known to us in ways we could not have imagined. But we have only experienced the joy of companionship, friendship and marriage to its fullest because of Jesus Christ and what He brings to our relationship.

When I first learnt that the London 10k Marathon and World Cup Final were on the same day as our 1 year wedding anniversary, I was overjoyed. I didn’t have that “too much on the plate” feeling. Instead, it caused us to rejoice that we could enjoy our wedding anniversary running for the glory of God and for the sake of others. My prayer is that each year our wedding anniversary would be marked with service to Christ’s body and missions so that the Moravian mission cry would be realised in our lives:

MAY THE LAMB THAT WAS SLAIN, RECEIVE THE REWARD OF HIS SUFFERING

London Marathon

Now I call it a marathon, but it’s really a bite-size version because it’s only 6.5 miles. We’re running for the Leprosy Mission, a Christian charity that has become close to my heart. LM works tirelessly to relieve the suffering of a disease which has haunted the poorest amongst us. It is a shame and tragedy that in a day and age of medicine, prosperity and science that many still suffer needlessly. But I guess it’s just another confirmation and depiction of the wickedness and total depravity of man.

But not only do they help relieve the suffering, they share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In their own words:

The Leprosy Mission is motivated by belief in God’s concern for the poor. Our work is an integral part of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

We count it a joy to run for His glory and it is in the helping of others we find joy. The more we give of ourselves for the cause of the Gospel and our neighbour’s plight, the more pleasure and joy we have in God. I’m reminded of Eric Liddle the Scottish athlete and missionary who said:

I believe God made me for a purpose, but he also made me fast. And when I run I feel His pleasure.

Now I don’t know about Simi and I being fast like Eric Liddle, but we can certainly move and when we run (move) for others, we feel His pleasure. And besides, 10,000 metres (10k) isn’t really lung busting either. It’s only 6.5 miles (6.21371 miles to be exact), but that’s 6.5 miles of being reminded of John Piper’s message Don’t Waste Your Life. You only have to read stories from the mission field or pick up a copy of Fox’s Book of Martyrs to see what true sacrifice looks like. So why are we running on our wedding anniversary? Because we don’t want to waste our lives.

A few years ago several of us had the opportunity to run the London 10k and raise over £500 for Leprosy sufferers in Darfur. This year the money collected from the run will go to a Leprosy Mission Hospital in Kathmandu, Nepal http://www.tlmnepal.org. We’ve set a target of £350 this year and if you’d like to sponsor us click below:

http://www.justgiving.com/Vic-Simi

World Cup Final 2010

And finally, the cherry on the top, the icing on the cake and the crème da le crème of all sporting events, the World Cup Final 2010. What better way to wrap up a lovely day than watch the World Cup Final 2010. Now, I’m not a sports fanatic or football crazy either, but here’s hoping that England makes it to the final. Wouldn’t that be a day for us to remember if England goes on to win the world cup? But I do think it’s sad to see how sport is idolised and worshipped. It is the equivalent of a modern day religion for the masses. However, like running, football can be enjoyed too. And it can be enjoyed even more when you know that life is not about football, but about God’s Son, Jesus Christ and His worship. That is what man was made for.

So that’s what a Wedding Anniversary, London Marathon and World Cup Final all have in common.

Tags: Eric Liddle, John Piper, Leprosy Mission, Moravian

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