It's as true in life as in running: Only the determined achieve their goals. Olympic medals don't go to overweight businessmen who occasionally 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 up. With his head cocked back and his arms flailing, he rushed ahead. He was determined not only to catch up with the pack but to win the race. 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 being like an Olympic athlete who is competing for a gold medal, straining every muscle in his body to get to the finish line. And what is the prize? It's not a temporary reward but "an imperishable crown" (v.25).

Victory is possible for every Christian. So let's run as though we want to win!  —HWR  — Haddon W. Robinson