The words of the Apostle Paul hold added relevance as the world watches the Summer Olympics in Athens.

"Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain" (1 Corinthians 9:24).

While recreational running and weekend races are far more popular than ever, most people never will participate in the type of high-pressure competition that defines the Olympic Games. And yet each of us, regardless of our physical condition, is engaged in a test of endurance. Each of us is in a contest to obtain a prize despite the efforts of a powerful foe. And each of us ultimately must stand to account for how well we trained, and how well we ran.

President Howard W. Hunter added this bit of insight to the scripture: "To the Corinthians, (Paul) wrote words, which paraphrased, are to this effect: 'You know (do you not?) that at the sports all runners run the race, though only one wins the prize. Like them, run to win! Now every athlete goes into strict training. They do it to win a perishable wreath, but our wreath will last forever. For my part, I run with a clear goal before me" ("Developing Spirituality," Ensign, May 1979).

Paul often used comparisons to sports and athletic contests to make a point about the struggles a disciple of Christ endures in order to keep the commandments and qualify for celestial glory. Speaking to the Hebrews, he again used a racing metaphor:

"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" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Naturally, we run faster the less weight we carry. Paul refers to sin as a weight and urges us to shed it through repentance. Sins act as inhibitors to spiritual growth. They impede the lines of communications that give us spiritual impulses. Like extra weights, they can discourage us from continuing the race and erase from our view the goal and ultimate prize.

But Paul also instructs us to run with patience. Perfection is not easily attained. There are setbacks. Weaknesses creep in and bring discouragement. And yet, if we look to Jesus, we can keep the goal clearly in sight.

At the Games in Athens, virtually every participant came prepared with equipment, whether it be the right type of shoes or clothing that cuts down on the effects of wind or water. In Paul's day, gladiators fought to the death. In speaking to the Ephesians, he used their example to show how we should prepare for our great contest, reminding us that, "we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

"Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" (Ephesians 6:12,13).

This spiritual equipment comes only through obedience and constant striving, and through strict adherence to the commandments.

It is important to remember that our own personal contests do not pit us against other people around us. "The race is not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," the Preacher wisely cautions (Ecclesiastes 9:11). The Book of Mormon and the Doctrine and Covenants both also caution that it is "not requisite that a man should run faster than he has strength" (Mosiah 4:27, D&C 10:4).

Speed is not important. What matters is that we move steadily in the right direction, one step after another.

The Olympics is filled with uplifting stories about athletes who overcome enormous challenges to excel and win. Their heart and determination can serve as inspiration for all sorts of life's endeavors. The challenge is to remember that their success came through sacrifice and constant hard work. That is a good blueprint for our own individual races to win the greatest prize of all.