For Years, Maurice Greene

FOR YEARS, MAURICE GREENE dreamed of breaking the world’s 100-meter record. In 1999, his dreams materialized when he concentrated on preparing for races—rather than discussing them—and focused on setting the new mark.

The 24-year-old Kansas City native competed in a meet on the Grand Prix International Circuit in Athens, Greece. Track experts considered the 5-foot-9, 165-pound speedster a likely candidate to break the world record. Only Donovan Bailey, who set the world mark of 9.84 in 1996, and Leroy Burrell, with 9.85 in 1994, had posted faster marks than Greene’s personal best of 9.86.

On the hot, windless evening, organizers arranged a special 100-meter event to showcase some of the world’s top runners. For Greene, the race had special meaning. He had won the 1997 world outdoor championship on the same track. The Greek venue would also host the 2004 Olympics in the birthplace of track and field.

At the gun, the sprinter bolted down the straightaway. Pursued by Trinidad’s Ato Boldon and Canada’s Bruny Surin, Greene crossed the finish line in a time of 9.79 seconds, .05 faster than the world record. The difference represented the largest margin of a record-breaking time since electronic timing began in the 1960s. Boldon placed second at 9.86, and Surin finished third with a 9.97.

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POINT Maurice Greene worked hard for the win. He prepared to do his best. The sprinter made sacrifices, including moving from his hometown of Kansas City to Los Angeles. He left Al Hobson, the coach he’d had since age eight, to train under UCLA assistant coach John Smith. Maurice found a running partner in Ato Boldon and began weight training. And Greene’s preparation made a difference.

Too many times we wing it in sports and in life. We don’t practice. We don’t work hard. We don’t sacrifice. We don’t prepare. And then we’re surprised when we don’t do well. The apostle Paul knew that preparation was the key to success. He instructed followers of Jesus Christ to be ready all the time to tell others about their Lord.

GOAL! Think of an upcoming race, game, activity, assignment, or event that you need to prepare for. Plan how you will get ready. Ask God to help you always be prepared.