The Longest 200 Meters

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 reached the moment he had worked his whole life toward. Then, halfway around the track, his right hamstring snapped.

Derek crumpled to the ground. Medical staff rushed toward him with a stretcher, but he waved them off. He stood up and began hopping toward the finish line, his face twisted in agony. That is when Jim Redmond — Derek's father — pushed past security guards, fought through officials, and reached his son on the track.

"You don't have to do this," Jim told him.

"Yes, I do," Derek said.

"Then we're going to finish this together."

Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder and sobbed as Jim wrapped an arm around him. Together, step by painful step, they crossed the finish line while 65,000 people rose to their feet.

The Psalmist wrote, "Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me." Trusting God does not mean the hamstring never tears. It means that when it does — when every plan we had collapses on the track — our Father pushes past every barrier to reach us. We do not finish alone.

That is what trust looks like.