In 1992 the Summer Olympic Games  were held in Barcelona, Spain. One of the runners in the 400 metre race was an English athlete named Derek Redmond. He had trained for years to compete in the Olympics. Yet while sprinting in a qualifying heat, he suddenly pulled a hamstring and crumpled to the track in pain.

Determined to go on, Derek struggled to his feet. He was hobbling towards the finish line when his father scaled the retaining wall and jumped onto the track. Before anyone could stop him, Jim Redmond reached his son. The young runner leaned on his father’s shoulder as he staggered to complete the race. The entire crowd stood and cheered the two men on. When they crossed the finish line, it was as if the runner, his father and the spectators had done it together.

The writer of Hebrews encourages us to run the race of faith and persevere to the end, following the example of those who have gone before us. It takes all of our spiritual stamina to complete it, but we don’t run the course alone. Christ Himself helps us towards the finish line. Therefore, “Let us lay aside every weight, and . . . run with endurance the race that is set before us” (Heb. 12:1).

We are judged by how we finish, not by how we start.

Author

Haddon W. Robinson

Topics

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