Run in such a way as to get the prize.
—1 Corinthians 9:24
On May 6, 1954, Roger Bannister reached what track and field experts considered unreachable: he ran a sub-four-minute mile. His time was 3:59.4.
Since then, the four-minute barrier has been eclipsed by 1,497 runners. Steve Scott did it 137 times, and John Walker 128.
The achievement is impressive.
Even so, the race you’re running is more important. Coach Paul has this word for you: “Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever” (1 Cor 9:24–25).
“Let us throw off everything that hinders . . . and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us” (Heb 12:1).
Train. Run. Win.