Paul compared fulfilling his destiny to running a race. He said, "Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" in 1 Corinthians 9:14. Reaching your divine destiny is not a brief sprint. It is a lengthy, sometimes grueling race.
A tremendous true-life example is drawn from the 1954 British Empire Games held in Vancouver, British Columbia. The mile race that was held there is considered to be one of the greatest races of all time. It pitted the two fastest runners in the world against each other: Roger Bannister and John Landy.
From the start, the race was clearly between Bannister and Landy. Unlike most runners, Landy's method was to move to the head of the pack early and by the sheer power of his physique outlast the other runners who would reserve strength for a final thrust at the finish. Following his usual approach, Landy started fast.
Soon the other runners were dropping back, leaving Landy out in front with Bannister trailing him. Landy and Bannister were maintaining a blazing pace, one that would surely set a new world record. But who would get to the finish line first?
As the runners came to the final lap, Landy was in the lead ahead of Bannister, as he had been throughout the race. Ahead of him stretched the finish line. Somewhere behind him was Bannister. Suddenly, a deafening roar arose in the stands. Landy knew what it meant. Bannister was making a last desperate effort to catch him.
The finish line was getting closer and closer, and the roar of the crowd was growing louder and louder. Landy knew that Bannister was catching up, but where exactly was he? Just before crossing the finish line, Landy turned his head to the left so he could see where Bannister was. Seizing the opportunity, Bannister threw himself past Landy on his right side and beat him across the finish line. Looking back had cost Landy the race! This famous race, called the "miracle mile", is enshrined in stone in Vancouver. There are two runners, one turning his head to look back as the other thrusts himself toward the finish line.
As a runner in this race of life, you are to keep your eyes fixed on Jesus and focused on your destiny. Do not be distracted by the roar of the crowd. Do not be distracted by other runners. Do not look back to the old life:
Hebrews 12:1-2 "Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right band of the throne of God."
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