Stage

RTHE OAR

From the Chaplain

Rev. Michael Bennett

Chaplain

The Olympic Series – A Father’s Love

This week’s The Roar article looks at another Olympian – 400m runner from Great Britain, Derek Redman. Leading up to the 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Redman was in the form of his life. He had won the British championships, was extremely competitive on the world stage, and was one of the UK's best hopes for a medal. During the heats in Barcelona, Redman put down a strong performance, which meant he got the best lane for the semi-final. As he warmed up for the semifinal, the BBC commentary talked about his potential to win gold. When the gun started the race, Redman accelerated very quickly and was gaining on the front runners down the back straight. And then … Redman says he heard a loud ‘Bang’! He pulled up mid-race and clutched the back of his leg. He said later that he “honestly thought I had been shot!” As it turns out, he had torn his hamstring. He looked across the track and saw his fellow competitors finishing. Officials then ran on to the track to escort him off so that they could start the next race. But he yelled at them to go away. He attempted to hop the final 220 metres of the race. With 150 metres to go, he was struggling to continue. Tears were running down his face. More officials came to grab him, and he was ready to give up. Who would come to his aid? His father. His father suddenly emerged next to him, having jumped from the stands, and ran over to his distraught son. Redman initially pushed his father away, thinking he was another official. But his dad threw his arm around his son's waist to support him. And Redman asked his dad to help him finish the race. Together they slowly continued towards the finish line, with his father palming off more officials who wanted them off the track. Redman finished the race to thunderous applause from the crowd. The occasion was an extremely powerful moment in Olympic history. The story is a great metaphor. Firstly, it demonstrates great courage. Redman was never going to win. It would have been easier for him to limp off the track and quit. But instead, he was determined to push on despite the attempts of officials to remove him. Secondly, this story is a great metaphor for our spiritual lives. The Bible encourages us to be courageous (i.e. Joshua 1:9), but it also reminds us that “God is our refuge and strength” (Psalm 46:1-3). God is like Redman’s father. He is a proactive supporter, who not only supports and guides us through life's challenges but also leads us towards the finish line of life into his great eternal kingdom to come. Let me encourage us all to reach out to God, who is by our side. In Him, you shall find the love you are looking for, the support you need to get through difficult times, and the security of knowing where you are going beyond the grave. Amen.

Year 9 student Chelsea Stocks recently won the local Bathurst Secondary School 3D section of the Waste to Art competition. Chelsea's piece was part of an in class D&T project, a tree made from recycled soft drink cans. Congratulations Chelsea!

Waste to Art win for Chelsea