God is for you

At the age of 19, Derek Redmond shattered the British 400m record. He went on to attend the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games but sadly had to withdraw from the 400m race with an Achilles tendon injury. Redmond endured numerous operations but was determined to recover his form and compete in the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.

True to his aspirations, Redmond qualified for the Barcelona Olympics and found himself at the start of the first semi-final heat. His Father, Jim Redmond sat on the edge of his seat in the grand stand, watching with baited breath as his son erupted from the blocks.

“Redman has got off very fast indeed,” declared the commentator.

Things were looking good, which made what happened next knock the breath out of the 65 000 strong crowd. Down the back stretch and less than 200m from finishing line, Redmond grasped at his right leg and stumbled to a halt before falling to his knees.

65 000 voices groaned in unison. But I am sure that there was only one person in the entire stadium exploding from his seat – Jim Redmond. As Derek began hopping along his lane, brushing away help and determined to finish, Jim was barging down his aisle, vaulting over security barriers and avoiding officials.

Derek had one thing on his mind: to finish the race. And Jim had one thing on his: to help Derek do it. As Jim ran up to his son, Derek steadied himself on his Dad’s shoulder, and they crossed the line together.

“Whatever happens (sic) he had to finish, and I was there to help him finish. I intended to go over the line with him. We started his career together. I think we should finish it together,” said Jim in an interview after the race.

Recently, I have felt as if I have pulled a muscle in the race of life. I am determined to finish, but like Derek Redmond I am hopping along on one leg. Perhaps you feel the same way. If you do, I would like to give you the same assurance that God gave me.

Your Father is not sitting up in the stands watching you hobble along. He isn’t cheering from a distance or asking himself “I wonder what he’s up to now, limping along when he should be running”.  No, your Father is on the track with you. He is holding you up with his arms. He wants to speak words of encouragement into your ear. Your Father is a GOOD Dad like Jim Redmond ... but even better.

Jim Redmond said, “We started his career together. I think we should finish it together.” The Bible says, “(God) who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). You must just be determined to finish the race. And God will help you to do it.

Cheers for now - Ian