The Finish Line on a Father's Shoulder

At the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal as one of the favorites. He had trained for years, endured five surgeries, and overcome injury after injury just to reach that moment. When the gun fired, he exploded off the blocks.

Then, halfway around the track, his hamstring snapped.

Derek crumpled to the ground. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He pulled himself up and began hopping toward the finish line, tears streaming down his face. The crowd of 65,000 fell silent, then began to rise.

That is when Jim Redmond, Derek's father, pushed past security, ran onto the track, and wrapped his arm around his son. Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder. Together, step by agonizing step, they crossed the finish line. The entire stadium stood and wept.

The writer of Hebrews tells us to run with perseverance the race marked out for us. But notice — the passage never says we run alone. We fix our eyes on Jesus, the Author and Perfecter of our faith, who endured the cross for the joy set before Him.

There will be a moment in your race when the muscle tears and the dream collapses. You will want to quit. But your Heavenly Father will not stay in the stands. He will come to you on the track, put His arm around you, and walk you home.

You do not have to finish strong. You just have to finish — and He will make sure you do.