Name the professional athletes you respect the most and why.
Historically, one athlete comes to mind above all others in my opinion. The apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, mentioned running several times in his writings. Athletics is as old as this earth. Men have always competed in one form or another and for various reasons. One example could be competition for a mate, a meal, or any other means and measures.
The hunt for food is a battle against nature. As is survival in the sometimes cruel world we live in. We compete for work, wealth, and wisdom. Some folks compete for love, living comfortably, and leisurely lifestyles.
Paul famously stated:
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
And
Heb 12:1 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,
The race is our life racing towards a known destination. The prize has already been bestowed upon us and we need to redeem this gift by accepting the finished work of salvation Jesus Christ gave us through the cross.
Do you know your destination?
Are you racing towards something?
God purposely gave Christ to the world so we could have access to Him (God) through our faith in Him (Jesus) and hid his finished work on the cross. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence. (Eph 3:9-12).
That is winning the race!