Carried to the Finish

On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semi-final at the Barcelona Olympics. He had waited years for this moment, having withdrawn from the 1988 Seoul Games just ten minutes before his race due to an Achilles tendon injury. Now, finally healthy, he exploded off the blocks and ran strong through the first curve.

Then, roughly 150 meters from the finish, his right hamstring snapped. Derek crumpled to the track, clutching his leg. Medical personnel rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He stood and began hopping toward the finish line, his face twisted in agony. From the stands, his father Jim Redmond pushed past security guards and onto the track. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and said, "We're going to finish this together." Step by agonizing step, father and son crossed the line while 65,000 spectators rose in a standing ovation.

Moses reminded Israel of a similar truth in Deuteronomy 1:31 — that through every wilderness mile, "the LORD your God carried you, as a father carries his son, all the way you went until you reached this place." The Almighty does not watch our suffering from the grandstands. He comes down. He puts His arm around us. And He walks us through what we cannot walk through alone.

Whatever race you are limping through today, your Heavenly Father is already on the track.