During this month, I've been comparing the Christian life to different sports. The best sports analogy is that of running a race.
Hebrews 12:1 says, “Since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and th esin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
On August 3, 1992 in the Barcelona Summer Olympics, there was a British runner by the name of Derek Redmond who was competing in the 400 meter dash. In one of the semi-final heats, Derek took off with the other runners, but at about 100 yards into the race, he tore his right hamstring muscle and fell to the track in agony. But in an amazing display of courage, Derek rose and began to limp toward the finish line. Medics rushed toward him, but he waved them away. Then a heavy set man ran down from the stands and ran onto the track. It was Derek’s dad. At first his Derek didn’t recognize him, and pushed him away. Then when he recognized his as his dad, he fell into his arms crying and said, “I have to finish! I must finish the race!” As his dad took him into his arms he said, “Well, we’ve started everything together. We’ll finish it together.” And with few dry eyes in the stands and among the television audience, the two of them struggled together across the finish line to thunderous applause.
What a wonderful illustration of a father’s love for his child. God our Father is willing to do the same thing. If you have fallen and failed, God sees you in all of your brokenness and pain. He comes to help you. At first, you may not recognize Him, and you try to push Him away. But God is there. He has promised to carry you through the tough experiences of your life. God says, “You whom I have upheld since you were conceived, and have carried since your birth. Even to your old age and gray hairs, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you.” (Isaiah 46: 3-4)
