Today on MoneyLife

Tim Borland is a great example of someone using the talents and skills God has given him to help others--orphans and children suffering from incurable disease.

Tim is a runner, but his story is not really about running. It's about taking risks and trusting God to provide as we follow the Lord's calling for us.

Crown's late Co-Founder Larry Burkett liked to say that people are like snowflakes, each is unique, and the greatest tragedy is not fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.

Tim Borland is an "ultra" marathon runner and the Executive Director of Running Hope, an organization that raises awareness and resources for ministries helping orphans in the U.S. and abroad. He's also a great example of how one person can make a difference when following God's call.

You might say Tim was born to run. He discovered that he had a real gift for long distance running and made a decision to use his talent for the Lord's work.

It wasn't long before the Lord provided an opportunity. Tim met a family with a sick child and got involved in helping them. The child suffered from Ataxia Telangiectasia, a rare, incurable disease that attacks the motor and speech controlling portion of the brain.

Tim decided to run 63 marathons in 63 days to raise awareness of AT. Amazingly, he was able to complete the string of marathon runs without injury. You can see a short movie of Tim's marathon tour here.

Families affected by the disease were inspired and encouraged that people do care about their suffering and want to help. Tim's ultra marathon tour resulted in 80 million media impressions and raised $1.5 million for the treatment of AT.

Tim says he was inspired by Hebrews 11:6, "And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him."

Tim and his wife, Michelle, were united in wanting to help children in need. They made the decision together to pull away from the things of the world that interfered with their helping others. When marathon tour opportunity came, they took action.

They gave up their apartment, put their belongs in storage, cut their expenses to a minimum and gave themselves fully to the project. God provided for them as they stepped out in faith.

Tim advises:

• Pray and ask God to show you what you are passionate about
• Stay in the Word
• Act in faith
• Surrender it all, sacrifice yourself
• Allow the Lord to lead you

Another verse that inspired Tim is Romans 12:1-2, "Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God--this is your spiritual act of worship. Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Tim is now Executive Director of Running Hope, an organization that helps ministries for orphans, such as Shaohannah's Hope.

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