The Man Who Walked When They Said He Wouldn't

In February 1949, golfer Ben Hogan and his wife Valerie were driving through fog in West Texas when a Greyhound bus crossed into their lane. Hogan threw himself across Valerie to shield her, a decision that saved both their lives as the steering column crushed through the driver's seat. His pelvis was shattered. His collarbone, ankle, and ribs were broken. Blood clots threatened his life. Doctors said he might never walk again, let alone play competitive golf.

Sixteen months later, Hogan entered the U.S. Open at Merion Golf Club. His legs, wrapped in bandages, ached with every step. The final day required thirty-six holes of walking, grueling even for a healthy man. By the closing stretch, Hogan could barely stand. But he kept walking. He forced a playoff and won the championship.

After that crash, Ben Hogan went on to win six more major titles.

The writer of Hebrews understood something about endurance that every athlete learns the hard way: the race is not won in the moments when your legs feel strong. It is won in the moments when everything in you wants to quit. "Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus" (Hebrews 12:1-2).

Whatever has broken you, whatever has left you wondering whether you will ever walk again, the Almighty who marked out your race has not abandoned you on the course. Keep walking.