Faversham Times: Thought For The Week
Published 9 August 2012

Barcelona, 1992. The Olympic 400m semi-final. Derek Redmond, the British 4x400m relay World, European and Commonwealth gold medallist starts well but in the back straight, about 250 metres from the finish, he suddenly pulls up then falls to the ground in pain. A torn hamstring.  The crowd watch as Derek gets up and hobbles down the track determined to finish.

The Bible suggests that getting through life is like running a race: “Let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Let us keep our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith” (Hebrews 12:1-2). But, as Derek discovered, it can be a struggle to run it let alone finish it. Derek’s career was dogged by serious injury, forcing him to pull out of many major competitions. However in the race of life help is at hand.

As Derek struggles towards the finish, there’s a commotion among the spectators.  Jim Redmond, Derek’s father, pushes past security and on to the track to get to his son. With Derek leaning on his father’s shoulder for support they cross the line together, as 65,000 people rise to give them a standing ovation.

In the race of life, God our Father has entered our world and come alongside us  to help us over the finish line. No matter what life may throw at us, we are not alone and should never give up. Olympic records state that Derek “Did Not Finish” the race. But with God’s help we will.