The Finish Line He Wouldn't Let You Miss

On August 3, 1992, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semi-final at the Barcelona Olympics. He had trained for years, overcome multiple surgeries, and finally earned his place on that track. The gun fired, and Redmond surged forward with everything he had.

Then, halfway around the bend, his hamstring snapped. He crumpled to the track in agony. Sixty-five thousand spectators fell silent. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but Redmond refused. He stood up. Hobbling, weeping, he began dragging himself toward the finish line.

Then something extraordinary happened. A large man in a T-shirt pushed past security and burst onto the track. It was Jim Redmond — Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and whispered, "We're going to finish this together." And they did. Step by agonizing step, father and son crossed that line while the entire stadium rose to its feet.

That is the gospel in a single lap.

There will come a day — maybe it has already come — when your strength gives out. When the thing you trained for, prayed for, believed for collapses beneath you mid-stride. And in that moment, your Heavenly Father does not send a stretcher. He steps onto the track. El Shaddai, God Almighty, wraps His arm around you and says, "We finish this together."

You were never meant to run alone.