Recently, the Track and Field World Championships were held in Tokyo, Japan. The event concluded, as is customary with the relays. These relay races bring an added level of excitement and intrigue, as strategy, teamwork, and coordination are just as crucial as speed in winning.
Once again, the races did not fail to produce high-stakes drama as ‘favorites’ struggled to accomplish the all-important task of getting the baton around the track. As I watched, I could only imagine the pain and anguish felt by the athletes who carry the heartbreak of feeling that they let their teammates, fans, and countries down when the baton was dropped.
When a person accepts Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior, they enter a race called the Christian race. Our time to run here on earth is temporary and comes with both privileges and responsibilities. While we run, there are times when it can be challenging, overwhelming, and even seem impossible. Yet, like an athlete in a relay, our mindset must look beyond the present to avoid giving up.
Our ultimate goal is to run to please the Lord Jesus. However, as we do so, we must be mindful of those who have run well before us, as they inspire us as we run. Additionally, as we think of those who will run after us, we ought to be further motivated by responsibility and obligation to run well.
Hebrews 12:1-2 says, “Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”
Within these verses is the encouragement to:
1) Look back at saints who looked ahead and considered their sacrifice worthwhile, and,
2) Look at Jesus, who also looked ahead to the transformed destiny that we can now enjoy because of His sacrifice.
So, as you run the race and do those seemingly insignificant and underappreciated tasks, think of the people in your life who have positively impacted you on your journey of faith, and those you need to positively impact on theirs. And let your thoughts be fueled with passion and purpose to run with determination, never dropping the baton!