“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” – 1 Cor 9:24-27

I remember my High school coach telling the gathered athletes in our school that in his opinion, no one would ever break the current 9.95 second world record in the men’s 100 meters sprint. That statement seems utterly foolish now. In the first race below, all the competitors had previously recorded a faster time.

There is just something that I find extremely inspirational about watching the world’s fastest man (Usain Bolt) break the world record. As far as we know, no one has ever run faster in human history.

2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championships 100 m Final:

2009, Berlin, Germany, IAAF World Championships 200m Final:

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.” – Hebrews 12:1,2