The Truth Arrives in Unexpected Ways

Are you a fan of the Olympic games?  I am.  I’ve long been fascinated by them.  I remember as an eight year old watching the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and be captivated by all of these athletes coming together and competing in these great events.  It was a lot of fun to watch and I try to never miss the opportunity to watch the Games when they come around every four years.

One of my most favorite moments from the Olympics came in 1992.  Derek Redmond, a talented runner for Great Britain, was competing in a race when he tore his hamstring.  Rather than trying to explain what happened next, watch this brief video of the race and the events that followed:

As you heard in the video, Redmond was determined to go on.  He wanted to finish the race.  Yet, he was unable to in his own strength.  It took the assistance of someone else– his father– to help him cross the finish line.

If you look around at how the World suggests we handle difficult times, you’ll likely hear things like “try a little harder,” “put in more effort” or “study more.”  All of these expressions fall short, don’t they?  They put the ability in the wrong place: on our shoulders.  But, we’re just like Redmond as he fell to the track.  We’re in so much pain that continuing on– even if it is what we want to do– is just about impossible.

That’s where truth comes in.  As we read God’s Word, truth comes out on every page.  And, when we stop fighting it, we can hear God using His Word to speak directly to our spirits.  Sometimes, hearing the truth via God’s Word hurts.  But, as the Bible tells us in Proverbs 27:6: “The wounds of a friend are trustworthy, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.”  The Bible (God’s truth), is that friend.  It shows us areas where we do not measure up to His holy standards.  It shows us just how far apart we are from Him.  But the truth from God’s Word always contains hope!  Jesus Christ, God’s own son, comes onto the scene and pays the penalty for our sins.  He reaches down, takes us by the hand and then lifts us up.  And, as Jesus said in John 14:2: “In My Father’s house there are many dwelling places; if not, I would have told you.  I am going away to prepare a place for you.”

When you’re out on a run this week, I want to encourage you to take some time to think about the truth and who you are depending on.  Are you listening to what the world says (“just try a little harder!”) or are you turning to God’s Word and feasting on the truth that comes from it?  Keep your eyes open; you never know exactly how the truth will show up next.