When Your Legs Give Out, Lean Into the One Who Holds You

In the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, British sprinter Derek Redmond lined up for the 400-meter semifinal. He had trained for years, endured multiple surgeries, and fought through injury after injury to reach that moment. When the gun fired, he exploded off the blocks.

Then, halfway around the bend, 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 began hopping toward the finish line, his face twisted in agony. The crowd of 65,000 fell silent.

Then a man pushed past security, barreled through officials, and wrapped his arm around Derek's waist. It was Jim Redmond — his father. Derek buried his face in his father's shoulder and sobbed. Jim whispered, "We started this together, and we're going to finish it together." Step by painful step, father and son crossed that finish line while the stadium rose to its feet.

Derek had to make a choice on that track. He could refuse help. He could insist on doing it alone. Instead, he leaned his full weight into the one who loved him most.

That is what trust looks like with God. Proverbs 3:5 says, "Trust in the Lord with all your heart." Not with your strength. Not with your plan. With all your heart — which sometimes means collapsing into the arms of the Father who has been running toward you all along.

When life tears something inside you, you do not have to crawl alone. El Shaddai, God Almighty, is already on the track.