Hebrews 12:1 “Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.”
I used to love to run. My favorite event was the 4 x 100 relay. The line up consists of a fast lead off who knows how to get off the blocks, two solid middle runners, and a lightning rod anchor position. With all slots filled and filled well, the race still comes down to one thing…the baton exchange.
I can feel the tense excitement just thinking about it; one runner carrying the baton, giving ques to the next to begin running and another que to reach back for the transfer. Everything must go as practiced in order to bring the team to victory.
Our life of faith is equated to a race in scripture. But I like to think of it more as a relay race.
This scene is a reminder of our maturing journey in Christ as the generations rise up and ebb onward to glory. We cheer on those who come before us and watch closely as we anticipate our turn in the race of Faith and the responsibilities that go with it. Ideally, the older generation then supports and cheers on the next. Having watched those before us, we know we must face the hand off at some point.
What part of the relay do you liken your life to currently? Are you carrying the baton? Are you watching those before you and anticipating your leg of the race? Is it time for you to hand off your ministry responsibilities to the next generation?
What do you see as you look around for this image in your sphere of influence? Are the generations cheering for one another before and after the transfer?
There are good examples of people connecting to the next generation and handing off the baton, but there are also negative examples we can learn from. Some don’t grab the baton when it’s their turn; maybe they think they’re not ready or maybe they aren’t committed.
Others won’t let go of the baton at the appointed time. Like the relay, such an action affects a whole group.
The impact of a good hand off is far reaching. Run your race well, but look to those who went before and be ready to hand off to those ahead. A good baton exchange is good for the team!
