The Longest 400 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, survived five surgeries, and finally reached the biggest stage in the world. Then, roughly 150 meters in, his right hamstring snapped. He crumpled to the track in agony as the field pulled away without him.

What happened next remains one of the most replayed moments in Olympic history. Redmond pulled himself up. Through tears and searing pain, he began hopping toward the finish line. Officials moved to escort him off. Then a large man in a T-shirt pushed past security and 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. Sixty-five thousand people in Montjuic Stadium rose to their feet, many of them weeping.

The Christian life demands courage — not the kind that never stumbles, but the kind that refuses to stay down. And here is the gospel woven into that moment: we do not hobble toward the finish line alone. The Almighty Himself draws near. As Isaiah 41:13 promises, "I am the Lord your God who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you."

Your courage does not depend on your own strength. It depends on the Father who will never let you finish alone.