The Race He Couldn't Finish Alone

In 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, overcome multiple surgeries, and poured everything into this moment. Then, halfway around the track, his hamstring snapped. He crumpled to the ground in agony while the other runners streaked toward the finish line.

What happened next remains one of the most replayed moments in Olympic history. Redmond pulled himself up and began hobbling toward the finish. Every step was excruciating. Officials moved toward him, but before they could reach him, a large man pushed through security and onto the track. It was Jim Redmond — Derek's father. He wrapped his arm around his son's shoulder and said, "We're going to finish this together." And they did. Sixty-five thousand people rose to their feet in tears as father and son crossed that line.

Faith works the same way. We set out with confidence, but somewhere along the course, life tears something inside us. We collapse under grief, doubt, or failure. And in that moment, our Heavenly Father doesn't watch from the stands. He comes onto the track. He wraps His arm around us and whispers, "We're going to finish this together."

You don't need enough strength to finish on your own. You just need a Father who refuses to let you crawl alone.