It’s as true in life as in running: Only the determined achieve their goals. Olympic medals don’t go to overweight businessmen who puff around the track for exercise.

Eric Liddell, in the film Chariots of Fire, illustrates this principle. Just before the first turn in a 400-meter race, Eric was shoved off balance, and he stumbled onto the infield grass. When he looked up, he saw the others pulling away. With a look of intense determination, Eric jumped to his feet, and with his back cocked and his arms flailing he rushed ahead. He was determined not only to catch up with the pack but to win. And he did!

This was the kind of fervor that the apostle Paul brought to his ministry. In 1 Corinthians 9:24 he said, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.” Paul saw himself as an Olympic athlete competing for a gold medal, straining every muscle, nerve, and sinew to get to the finish line. And what’s the prize? Not a temporary reward but “an imperishable crown” (v.25).

For us as Christians, victory is possible. So let’s run as though we want to win!

  — Haddon W. Robinson