The Finish Line He Didn'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 multiple surgeries, and finally made it to the biggest stage in athletics. Then, halfway around the bend, his hamstring snapped.

Redmond crumpled to the track. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. Teeth clenched, tears streaming, he began hopping toward the finish line on one leg. The crowd of 65,000 fell silent.

Then a large man in a T-shirt pushed past security and barreled onto the track. It was Jim Redmond — Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's waist and said, "We're going to finish this together." Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder, and step by agonizing step, they crossed the finish line. The stadium erupted.

Derek didn't earn that finish. He couldn't. His body had failed him completely. But his father's love carried him across a line he could never have reached alone.

That is the gospel. We are all Derek Redmond — broken mid-race, unable to complete what we started. And the God of all grace doesn't send a stretcher to carry us off the track. He steps onto the course Himself and says, "We're going to finish this together."

You don't have to limp to the finish line alone. Your Heavenly Father is already running toward you.