Many months, even years, of self-denial and training for the Winter Olympics at Lake Placid, N.Y. paid off handsomely for many of the competitors.

Eric Heiden's unprecedented winning of five gold medals in speed skating stands out as a tremendous feat.

The U.S. Hockey team's victory over the number one Soviet team was in itself totally unexpected. But the ability, strength and heart of the young American team arose to the occasion to also beat the Finland team and win the coveted "gold." This stirred the whole country to united jubilation not known for decades.

Desire, dedication, denial of self and determination were factors demanded in each of the various events. America's figure skater, Linda Fratianne, for 10 years dedicated and denied herself much that other young people pursue and enjoy. Her determination was intense as she kept her weight down to 98 pounds which her coach believed was imperative for her to maintain. She performed beautiful but had to settle for the silver medal. She is not discouraged, however, and is going into the world competition next.

In 1 Corinthians 9:25, the Apostle Paul refers to the Olympic games in his day as an illustration of the believer's spiritual race and its contrasting results. He writes, "and every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible."

Even silver and gold are classified by Scripture as corruptible in 1 Peter 1:18, and as having no spiritual value at all. Eric Heiden said in words to this effect, the golden medals were nice, but he could have wished for a warm-up suit which he could use. Does he realize the corruptibility of the gold he obtained? I wonder, too, if the glory of winning has faded somewhat even for this skating hero?

But the believer runs in the race to obtain an incorruptible crown. This is a crown of eternal glory and value which shall never fade nor pass away. It will not be kept merely as a memento of the race run. There is no doubt as to the believer in Christ reaching the goal, but the manner in which he finishes is what will determine the crown.

And what shall be done with the crowns received from the Lord Himself at the end of the race? Revelation 4:10 reveals that the crowns of the heavenly company will be "cast before the throne of God," and the believers relinquishing their crowns will exclaim, "Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power."

With this in view, let us, then, as believers in the race, put aside every sin and run with desire, dedication, denial of self and determination, looking unto Jesus—the Goal and the Prize. If we do, we shall have many crowns to cast at His feet for His eternal glory and praise.

"So run," then, Christian, "that ye may obtain" (1 Corinthians 9:24).