According to a story titled “London Plans Two-Day Mega 100,000-Runner Marathon,” the planners of the London Marathon were considering splitting it across two days to allow up to 100,000 runners to participate and raise millions more for charity. A world record 1.1 million people applied via ballot to take part in the 2026 London Marathon—nearly doubling the number of applications from just two years ago. The 2025 event set a world record for the number of finishers in a single marathon at 56,640 and raised £87.3 million for a diverse range of charities.
And while the London Marathon has participation limits and qualification criteria that must be met to gain entry, the Bible tells us something gloriously different about the one race that truly matters:
“For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For ‘whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.’” Romans 10:12-13
Trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is the only qualification for eternal life. No ballot. No lottery. No cutoff time. Not one single person is turned away. And the “riches” the Lord bestows upon all who call on Him represent the immense, breathtaking blessings of salvation, grace, and mercy; the forgiveness of sins, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, the peace that surpasses all understanding, and the unshakeable promise of eternal life. For every person, from every background, without distinction.
Amazing, isn’t it?
But here is where God ups the ante. While God welcomes everyone, He challenges all born-again believers to join the race:
“How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’” Romans 10:14-15
The answer to every one of the questions posed by this verse is the same: “They can’t.” Not without someone going. Not without someone sharing the Gospel. Jesus made it unmistakably clear:
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
There is one way. One name. One finish line that leads to eternal life — and the world will not find salvation unless we share it. The Master’s instruction in the parable was not a suggestion:
“Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23
And Paul, who understood exactly what was at stake, said it plainly:
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16
So don’t buy into the comfortable lie that evangelism is your pastor’s job or the responsibility of a spiritually gifted few. Every single believer is called to have beautiful feet—feet that go out to the highways and hedges and carry the Gospel message in a way that compels people to call upon Jesus for salvation!
You and I have such a remarkable opportunity to bring someone else across the eternal finish line and into the presence of God!
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, thank You for the staggering truth that You turn no one away — that whoever calls upon Your name can be saved. Forgive me for the times I’ve stayed quiet when I should have spoken. Fill me with such a deep sense of urgency that I cannot stay comfortable on the sidelines, knowing that time is short and the stakes are eternal. Give me beautiful feet and a willing mouth. In Your precious name, Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
Melissa Sharp is an ultra runner and running coach who has completed more than 100 marathons and ultra marathons. Melissa has learned how to keep running the race of life for the glory of Christ even though she endured decades of domestic abuse. Melissa is a survivor. Through her daily blog thejoyfilledrunner she inspires others to live in the strength of Christ.
