I have always loved watching the track and field part of the Olympics. In fact, my favorite race of all time is the 4×100 relay race. It is not speed alone that wins the race. You have to transfer the baton while running hard—that is critical and so difficult. So many times, the race was won except for the drop of the baton.
We are called to run the race, but we must not drop the baton. My friend Tony tells the story of the Contagious Christian—we don’t care if we are the first to share the Word with an individual, or the second, or the twenty-fifth. We don’t even care if we are the one that finally leads the person to Christ; we just need to want to be part of the relay team.
Anyone who calls upon the name of the Lord will be saved. But how shall they ask him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them unless someone sends him? That is what the Scriptures are talking about when they say, “How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace with God and bring glad tidings of good things.” In other words, how welcome are those who come preaching God’s Good News!
Romans 10:13–15
The Scripture gives us the segments of the righteous relay race: the first leg is to be sent out, the second is to tell someone, the third leg is to hear, and the fourth leg of this mighty race is to believe and to be saved. When we do that, the Team will win the Gold Medal.
So today, we give You Glory and Thanks for providing those who ran the relay race in our lives to lead us to You. We pray that as it is our turn to run—as the sound of the gun goes off to start the race—that we run like the wind, and as we prepare to hand off the baton, that no one is dropped, no one is left behind. We have been sent out by You, Father; help us run the good race, the righteous relay race. Amen.
Have a Speedy Day.
