31 years ago today, Steve Prefontaine died in a car accident at the age of 24. Pre, as he was known, was a runner–a fast runner. One guy who competed against him in high school said,”I remember running against him in a cross-country meet . . . I saw his back for about 20 yards and then he was gone.” For a time, he held national records in every event between 2,000 and 10,000 meters. Suffice it to say he is a legend at my alma mater, where he ran, the University of Oregon. Pre reportedly said, “What I want to be is number one.”

Reading about Pre made me think of Eric Liddell, that Scottish sprinter famous for refusing to compete on the Lord’s Day. Both men were given incredible athletic gifts but Liddell–who knew Christ, so clearly ran for the Lord. It’s a reminder that we have a responsiblity to use our gifts to glorify God, not ourselves.

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