2 Corinthians 4:9 “We are struck down, but not destroyed.”
In the 1996 Atlanta Olympic Games, British athlete Derek Redmond was running in the 400m. This was the culmination of months and even years of gruelling training and preparation, with his Dad as trainer and coach. In the semi-final heat, he was out in front when his Achilles tendon snapped, and he pulled up in agony. The race continued and finished whilst he was writhing in pain. But although he was down, he wasn’t out. He dragged himself to his feet, and hobbled forward, lifting his injured leg step by step. The crowd rose to its feet and cheered him onwards. The pain was so excruciating that it didn’t look like he’d be able to finish the race. But then a grey-haired plump man jumped over the railings, evaded security officials, and ran towards him. Many people wept as they watched him put his arms around Derek’s waist and whisper encouragements in his ear. Together they made it to the finishing line. That other man was his father. During post-race interviewing, Redmond told the assembled press: “My Father was the only one who could have helped me, because he was the only one who knew what I’d been through.”
Similarly with us, the Holy Spirit comes alongside each of us wounded athletes (in the original New Testament Greek, the word ‘parakletos’ is used of the Holy Spirit, and it literally means ‘called to one’s side’). He helps carry us the rest of the way. And he is the only one who can do it, because he is the only one who knows what we’ve been through, and what lies ahead.
The apostle Paul, like Derek Redmond, was ‘struck down but not destroyed’ (v9). May we be the same through the toughest of times. In verse 7, we read: “But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.”
Lord, I resolve to get back up whenever I take a hit and to live in the power of your Spirit today. Amen!
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