FOUR-YEAR-OLD BOY RUNS FORTY MILES

Cheered by thousands, a four-year-old boy dubbed "India's Forrest Gump" who was nearly sold by his impoverished mother ran 65km to enter the country's foremost record book.

Budhia had planned to run 70km but doctors stopped him after 65km when he showed signs of extreme exhaustion.

"Budhia Singh completed the distance in seven hours and two minutes which is an Indian record. This is perhaps a world record too. No other kid at his age has completed a distance of 65km at one go," said his coach, Biranchi Das.

Budhia's father has died and his mother, unable to support him, was about to sell him to another villager two years ago when he was rescued by the coach.

The coach had earlier seen Budhia's talent when the boy accidentally entered a sports ground without permission, and was asked to run laps as punishment. When the coach returned five hours later, the boy was still running.

Budhia has gained swift popularity in India. He is being likened by the Indian media to Forrest Gump, the fictional book and movie character who is ridiculed by peers for using leg braces, but overcomes his disability when he discovers that he can "run like the wind blows".

"I loved running today. I can run as much as I want," the four-year-old boy told reporters after the run, sitting bare-chested but appearing tired.

Then he sucked his thumb.

Photo: Biswaranjan Rout & story courtesy smh.com, 05/03/06

²⁹He gives power to those who are tired and worn out; he offers strength to the weak. ³⁰Even youths will become exhausted, and young men will give up. ³¹But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.

Isaiah wasn't an athletic competitor, (unless you consider prophesy a sport) but he did understand how to stay strong and keep pace.

His verse about "youths will become weak and tired" didn't make it to the devotional time for the 4-year-old kid in India (who can't read yet). This little marathon man did offer prayers at some Hindu shrine before running the forty miles.  Imagine what he could have done if he had "renewed his strength in the LORD"!

Of course, God's Spirit is teaching us (through Isaiah) that the LORD'S strength must be our source for everything we need to live to please God, especially when we feel like we can't go on.

Can't take another step?  Life overwhelming you?  God's power is constant.  He's never too tired or busy to listen, to replenish, to restore, to rally us on for the rest of the race He has laid out before us.

The little running boy never stopped.  We should.  The best way to renew our strength is to take a break with God, regularly.

When the little guy did stop, he "sucked his thumb".  If we don't stop and rest with Jesus, we'll be "sucking air".

Praise God for His power and strength!  Thank Him for His constant care for you.  Confess any way in which you have been trying to gut it out on your own strength.  Ask Him to give you the faith you need to be confident in His purpose and plan for you.  Now take a two minute break to just listen to Jesus...because He is waiting to strengthen you.....

• Memorize today's scripture to help you remember to take breaks with Jesus.
• In your daily "breaks" with Jesus this week, make sure to take two minutes to just be quiet and listen to Him...
• Whenever you see a little kid running (with reckless delight) remember to have a child-like faith and run with Jesus in the same way!

Daily Devos is published Monday through Friday. Archives can be found at YFC.ORG.  Its purpose is to help you apply truths from God's Word every day.

Our writer, Byron Emmert, has been involved with Youth For Christ for 30 years. He's served as Campus Life Staff, as a writer, and in leadership for the DCLA Conferences. Byron is married to Linda and their family includes two married sons and daughters-in-law, and a daughter in college.  He loves sports, deep dish pizza, and spending time with his family.