Quote

It’s your place in the world; it’s your life. Go on and do all you can with it, and make it the life you want to live.
Mia Jemison

Real Life

Last year Alex Roca Campillo became the first person with cerebral palsy to complete a full-length marathon. Campillo has a 76% disability on the left side of his body affecting his movement, mobility and speech.

Previous to running the marathon, Campillo had completed the Barcelona half marathon, five triathlons and the gruelling six-day Garmin’s Titan Desert Mountain Bike Race. Campillo says that he doesn’t think that anyone can set limits for you, but instead we are each in charge of our own destinies and possibilities.

From a child Campillo has loved and been involved in sport, playing football, trying tennis and competing in running events.  This is all truly remarkable considering that when he contracted encephalitis at six months old he wasn’t expected to live, let alone be well enough to push himself physically at any point in his life. However, despite the physical difficulties he faces, Campillo loves the opportunity to challenge himself through sport. He values the joy it brings to his life. He chooses not to let his physical difficulties rule out his participation, instead he finds ways to compete and thrive in those events because they matter to him.

The bible says that when we worship God and find joy in Him, He will give us the desires of our hearts (Psalm 37:4). God created our personalities with interests, gifts and passions, they are a part of who we are and who we were created to be. Of course, we need to have wisdom to not let interests become obsessions or passions to become selfish pursuits, but when we choose to invest in what we love to do in a way that is healthy and brings growth, it fills us with joy and satisfaction. Sometimes we need to not be put off by challenges, but instead follow where our heart leads.

Bible Verse

Take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart

Psalm 37:4

Prayer

Thank You Lord for the passions and interests You have placed in me. Help me to have the courage to invest in these, growing and developing in the way You intend me to and letting the gifts you have given me, shine.

Author: Sarah Auld   |   Content Editor: Phil Pawley