The Finish Line That Changed Everything

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal carrying the weight of four years of preparation and a history of injuries that had already stolen one Olympic dream. When the gun fired, he surged forward with everything he had. Then, halfway down the backstretch, his hamstring snapped.

Redmond crumpled to the track. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He stood up. And he started hopping toward the finish line, his face twisted in agony, tears streaming down his cheeks.

Then something happened that sixty-five thousand spectators will never forget. 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 shoulder and whispered, "We're going to finish this together." And they did — father and son, crossing the line as one while the entire stadium rose to its feet.

That is a picture of the hope we carry as children of the Most High. Our hope was never that we would run a perfect race. Our hope is that when our strength gives out — and it will — our Father is already running toward us. The Apostle Paul wrote, "We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed" (2 Corinthians 4:8). Why? Because we do not hobble toward eternity alone.

Whatever has torn in your life this week, look up. Your Father is on the track.