Timothy "Bud" Badyna looks over his shoulder while running backward in St. Simons Island, Ga. Badyna holds the Guinness World Record for fastest backwards run in a 200-meter race which was set in January 2001. (Stephen Morton / Associated Press)
SOME RUNNERS LOOK FORWARD TO GOING BACKWARD
Wait a minute, you say -- that's not so fast.
Right. But Badyna set those records running backward.
Badyna, dubbed "Backwards Bud'' by fellow runners, holds the Guinness World Record for fastest backward run in a 200-meter race (32.78 seconds), set in 2001. In the early 1990s, he held the record for backward marathon (3 hours, 53 minutes) and 10K (45 minutes, 37 seconds).
Those records have since been broken. So the 39-year-old hospital nurse from St. Simon's Island isn't the only one who turns his back on traditional running. About 500 people in the United States -- and more in Europe -- walk or run backward. Experts say it burns a fifth more calories than traditional jogging.
"Your balance increases. Your hearing increases. Your peripheral vision increases,'' said Badyna (pronounced ba-DEEN-a).
"The downside is being blindsided. You don't have any eyes behind you, but your senses pick up. As long as you go someplace safe -- a track, a familiar road, you'll cut down the chances of any unforeseen obstacles coming your way,'' he said.
photo & story courtesy foxsports.com, 05/30/06
God's Discipline Proves His Love
1Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily hinders our progress. And let us run with endurance the race that God has set before us. 2We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, on whom our faith depends from start to finish. He was willing to die a shameful death on the cross because of the joy he knew would be his afterward. Now he is seated in the place of highest honor beside God's throne in heaven. 3Think about all he endured when sinful people did such terrible things to him, so that you don't become weary and give up. 4After all, you have not yet given your lives in your struggle against sin.
WHAT WOULD THE AUTHOR OF HEBREWS SAY ABOUT RUNNING BACKWARD?
Maybe he could have used running backward for another illustration, but in this passage, it's all about running with our eyes looking ahead, focused on Jesus. He's using the picture of a race to teach us how to pursue the goal of becoming more like Jesus Christ.
Look again at the photo of the guy running backward. He said the worst part is that you are sort of blindsided and you can't see the obstacles. What a great illustration of my spiritual struggles! When I'm not focused on Christ, I stumble and fall. How about you?
WHAT GETS YOUR FOCUS OFF OF JESUS? WHAT MAKES YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP?
Perhaps you feel discouraged because life is tough. Maybe the struggle with sin makes you feel like giving up sometimes. Take heart! Today's passage reminds us to remember what Jesus went through for each of us. We can look forward to the finish line, because on the cross, Jesus said, "It is finished!"
Don't go backward spiritually. Look forward with your focus on Jesus.
- Pray every day for the faith and discipline you need to keep your focus on Christ.
- Make a list of what gets your focus off of Christ at school, work, with your family or other relationships....keep this list as part of your prayer list.
- Try memorizing this passage as a reminder to keep your eyes on Jesus and to never give up.
- Try running backward (in a safe place)! As you do, talk to Jesus about your desire to keep your eyes focused on Him.
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.