The Finish Line He Couldn't Earn

On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal at the Barcelona Olympics. He had trained for years, overcome four surgeries, and this was supposed to be his moment. Then, halfway around the track, his right hamstring snapped. Derek crumpled to the ground as the other runners disappeared ahead of him.

What happened next has nothing to do with athletic achievement and everything to do with grace.

Derek pulled himself up. Weeping, he began to hop toward the finish line. Then a large man in a T-shirt pushed past security and ran onto the track. It was Jim Redmond, his father. Jim wrapped his arm around his son and said, "We're going to finish this together." Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder, and the two of them crossed the finish line as 65,000 people rose to their feet.

Derek didn't earn that finish. He couldn't. His body had failed him completely. But his father's love refused to let him stay on the ground.

That is the gospel in a single lap around a track. We pull our spiritual hamstrings daily — through pride, selfishness, broken promises. We cannot limp our way to God on our own strength. But the Father runs to us. He wraps His arm around us and whispers what He has always whispered: "We're going to finish this together."

You don't have to earn the finish line. The Almighty already left the stands.