Never, Never, Never Give Up

     Today Oscar Pistorious did it!  Talk about believing in yourself.  Here is a young man who had both legs amputated before he turned one.  Now competing in the Olympics.

this image is from ESPN

       And I think I have it tough some times.  Pistorius has a very large tatoo on his left shoulder of 1 Corinthians 9:26-27. Here it is from the New International Version (NIV)

Therefore I do not run like someone running aimlessly; I do not fight like a boxer beating the air.  No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.

   I just love it. The idea of purpose and discipline.  That no action of his own will disqualify.  He didn't quit when he was not allowed to compete in the Beijing Olympics.  Instead, he gave up his motorcycle and everything else that could injure him, and got down to training. Here is is quote from the Message translation.  It is a little gentler, but still good advice for us.

I don't know about you, but I'm running hard for the finish line. I'm giving it everything I've got. No sloppy living for me! I'm staying alert and in top condition. I'm not going to get caught napping, telling everyone else all about it and then missing out myself.