The Blind Side of the Finish Line

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal carrying the weight of years of injury and comeback. Halfway around the track, his hamstring snapped. He crumpled to the ground while the other runners disappeared toward the finish line.

What happened next became one of the most iconic moments in Olympic history. Redmond pulled himself up and began hobbling forward, determined to finish. Then a large man pushed past security and ran onto the track. It was Jim Redmond, Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's waist and whispered, "We're going to finish this together." The two of them crossed the finish line as 65,000 people rose to their feet in tears.

Derek could not see the finish line through his pain. He could not run under his own power. But he did not have to. His father came to him in his worst moment and carried what he could not carry alone.

This is the heart of faith. We do not white-knuckle our way to God through sheer determination. Faith is feeling the Father's arm around us when our strength gives out. As the psalmist wrote, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me."

You do not have to finish on your own. Your Heavenly Father is already running toward you.