�To give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift�
-- Steve Prefontaine
Widely considered the greatest American distance runner to ever live, this year commemorates the 30th year anniversary of Steve Prefontaine�s death in a car accident at the youthful age of 24. He was born January 25th, 1951 and killed May 30th, 1975. Before he died, Steve held every American record between 2,000 meters and 10,000 meters and between 2 miles and 6 miles. He won seven NCAA titles (three in cross-country and four in track), between 1970 and 1973.
Known to his fans as, �Pre,� and sometimes referred to as a, �Rock Star Runner,� Steve was a different breed. He did not believe in pacing himself, but always went all out and relied on his tremendous pain threshold to allow him to win. His determination and confidence are evident in this quote:
�I�m going to try to work it out so in the end it will be a pure guts race, and if it is, I am the only one that can win.�
- Prefontaine
Whether one loves to run or despises it, is not that big of a deal. However, there is a race that each person has a choice to run. It is a spiritual race, and it is not about accolades, honors, records, or medals designed by men. This race is much more significant, and the reward is far greater. Consider this passage in Second Timothy, where Paul wrote in one of his final letters:
�I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. In the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved his appearing�
2 Timothy 4:7-8.
What a powerful statement! It is challenging to imagine oneself standing before God at Judgment. How awesome it is to be able to stand there and say these words! How truly inspiring it is to know that there is a crown of righteousness waiting for all those who have loved his appearing!
Here then is the challenge. As one looks at himself in the mirror, can he truly say these things?
I have fought the Good Fight� Are you trying to save souls? Are you standing up against the Devil, against temptation?
I have finished the course- Have you quit because you let this world get to you? Will you finish and receive the reward?
I have Kept the Faith� Never Give Up!