The other day most of Canada had their eyes on Olympic hopes in the 100 metre hopeful, Andre De Grasse.

The 100 metre race is quick. You could go to the kitchen for a glass of water and miss the whole thing. They run the race in under 10 seconds. 

Andre and the other competitors hit top speeds of over 40 kilometres an hour. Try to get your head around that one!

But much more than the race itself is the build-up and the follow-up.

There are heats leading up to the race and then there is the production of getting the race started correctly.

There is such a build-up to the start and when someone false starts, all the runners have to set up all over again. It’s pretty devastating for the one who starts too early. He is out of the race and his olympic hopes of a medal are gone.

Canada’s man in the race, Andre De Grasse, had high hopes to get a gold. 

He won a bronze medal in the last Olympics when he raced against Usain Bolt. They had such a close relationship that it seemed like Usain was passing his three time Olympic gold medal torch to Andre. 

It was a pretty special memory for not only De Grasse, but all of Canada. 

The media replayed the scenes of the two sprinters exchanging looks, smiles and hugs. And it was enough. It was all we really needed to think that our guy, Andre, was next and that he would take the gold this time. 

Our olympic hopes were high, I’m sure Andre was thinking gold this time as well. … But it was not to be. 

Andre finished third, collecting the bronze medal, which by any standard is a win. Third fastest in the world, plus breaking his own personal best time – how could you want anything more?

As happy as I was for him to win that bronze (and it made me proud), I was disappointed he didn’t win the gold. … I think he was too. 

He had trained for it; he had dreamt of it. He had overcome hardship and injury to get there.

But it was not to be. 

There were some factors that didn’t help him. The lane placement was not ideal. He ran in lane 9, so far from where the leaders were grouped. He also got off to a slow start. Then the runner beside him dropped out part way with a pulled hamstring. De Grasse had no one around him, no gauge as he ran. 

… Yet he ran the fastest last half of the race. Andre turned it on and ran from last place all the way to catch third place by the end. 

My daughter, Karlie, was in a commercial a year ago with De Grasse. In the commercial she turned to Andre running nearby and said, “Pick it up, Andre”. 

Well, pick it up he did! De Grasse flew during the last half of the race. 

You have to be impressed with his running.

The way I see it, Andre De Grasse didn’t settle for his bronze medal, he went out and won it. Way to go, man!

Here’s the thing: We don’t always get what we want in life. Nor do we always get what we hope for. But God has a plan for your life. And no matter what is thrown at you, all you have to do is trust him and go for it. Follow Him and you will get you exactly what God has planned for you. 

That’s Life!

Paul

Question: What do you need to put more effort or focus toward right now? Leave your comments and questions below.

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