“Over the weekend, a Kenyan runner achieved what for decades seemed impossible: completing a competitive marathon in under two hours.
“Sabastian Sawe broke the world record to complete the London Marathon in 1 hour, 59 minutes and 30 seconds.
“As a wee boy, I remember people still talking about Roger Bannister breaking the four-minute mile. In 1968, Jim Hines ran 100m in less than ten seconds. And in our time, Usain Bolt got it down to 9.58 seconds in 2009.
“Moments like these are uplifting – and remind us how we sometimes underestimate what is possible.
“History is full of breakthroughs once dismissed as fantasy — whether in science, exploration, or human resilience.
“Time and again, we discover that the boundaries we thought were fixed, are actually more flexible than we imagined.
“But achievement isn’t only about records broken or medals won.
“The quieter, less visible transformations can be just as profound: The courage to forgive when it feels impossible; the strength to keep going through grief; the decision to change, to grow, to begin again.
“Christian tradition recognises that real transformation isn’t just about flesh and blood – it’s about body and soul, and often begins within.
“St Paul writes about being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” – the deepest achievements are not always measured outwardly, but inwardly: in character, in compassion, in hope.
“We live in a culture that celebrates visible success, and that’s fine.
“But many of the most meaningful victories happen far from the spotlight.
“St Thérèse of Lisieux spoke of her “Little Way” — finding holiness not in great deeds, but in small, everyday acts done with love.
“Her insight reminds us that even the smallest actions can quietly shape both the lives of others and our own hearts.
“Sebastian Sawe’s achievement at the London Marathon is great from any point of view, and it prompts us to think about the barriers in our own lives — the assumptions we carry about what we can or cannot become.
“And perhaps it invites us to consider that, with grace, perseverance, and sometimes the help of others, those limitation may not be as absolute as they first seem.
Archbishop Cushley’s Thought for the Day, broadcast on BBC Radio Scotland, Tuesday 28 April 2026.
