I watched a very touching video last week and I thought to share it today.

In the year 1992, a young athlete in the 400m Barcelona Summer Olympic games had a traumatic experience.

Just a few metres away from the finishing line, his shoe hamstring tore and he fell. Some people rushed towards him with a stretcher but he ignored them and continued the race, hobbling along the tracks.

Just then, a huge man ran out of the crowd and rushed towards him. It was his father.

‘Son, you don’t have to do this.’ His father said.
‘Yes I do.’ His son said.
‘Well then, we’re going to finish this race together.’

The father wrapped his hands around his weeping son and together, they hobbled along the race tracks.

Shortly before the finish line, the father let his son go and his son FINISHED the race as a crowd of about 60,000 people gave him a standing ovation.

Derek Raymond did not finish first place but he FINISHED the race, motivated by a love so strong, by a father who picked him up when he was down!

What made the father go after his son and lead him to finish the race?

The pain in his child’s face made him do this.

Like the father who helped his son along the race track, God helps us finish when he sees us struggle and try despite the pain.

How is your Christian race?

Are you in pain?
Are you thinking of quitting?

God loves you and wants you to FINISH STRONG.

He is there to hold you; you can lean on his shoulder as he takes you to the FINISH LINE.