One of my favourite stories is about the now retired British sprinter Derek Redmond, who won medals in the 4 x 400m relay at world championship level.
The one race the world remembers was the 400m semi-final at the 1992 Olympic Games in Barcelona.
Derek seemed to be in good form prior to this race, considering he had undergone five operations months before the games began.
He had posted the fastest time in the first round and went on to win a quarter-final.
Derek got into his stride and started to feel comfortable at the start of his semi-final race.
But 250m from the finish line, Derek heard a popping sound. His hamstring tendon tore.
Derek collapsed to the ground in great agony. As medical professionals rushed towards him, he, determined to finish the race, stood up and started to hobble towards the finish line.
With about 100m to go, Derek became aware there was someone else on the track — and it wasn’t one of the other runners. It was Derek’s dad, Jim Redmond.
Jim had broken through security and run on to the track from his seat to help his son as he hobbled.
Jim and Derek, with arms around each other, finished the race together.
Unfortunately, the Olympic committee disqualified Derek and stated ‘Did not Finish’ in the official records. Derek felt his dream was over.
The story does not end there.
Derek was told by his surgeon that he would never run again.
However, Derek, after accepting this loss, went on to become a motivational speaker and shifted his focus to playing professional basketball.
I can’t help but see this story from the perspective of how our heavenly ‘dad’ wants to run to you, putting your arm around his shoulder, not only to help you finish the race, but to also restore you to a double portion of what you may have lost. Our heavenly father is not only our help at the time of trouble but also a restoration of honour.
Isaiah 61:7 says: “Instead of your shame you will receive a double portion, and instead of disgrace you will rejoice in your inheritance.”
The scripture clearly states that our shame will be turned into honour. I feel this applied to Derek’s life where he felt disgrace, but he inherited joy in other pursuits. In other words, he experienced a restoration of what was lost, albeit in a different way to his running career.
Furthermore, 1 Peter 5:10 says: “After you have suffered for a little while, the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, will Himself perfect, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
As creation of our heavenly father, we have the privilege and honour to claim these verses over our lives.
We should not judge the rest of our life by what may be happening now. After our temporary trials and sufferings, God’s Word promises that he will strengthen and establish us.
We all have setbacks or know of someone facing certain situations. Some big, some small. In all of it, we can be certain that no matter the size, length or weight of our struggles, we have the opportunity to call on our heavenly father to come down, pick us up and help us finish the race.
Rev Dr Samuel Jacob,
Lifesource Church Echuca
33°C