As you read the Bible, you will find so many references to your life being compared to running a race. We are told to run with patience the race that is before us, always keeping our eyes on Jesus (Heb. 12:1). The next verse then points us to Jesus and the way He lived His life.
Paul so often compares life to a race. He told Timothy that “…if anyone competes in athletics, he is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5)—we must get on the track and stay in our lanes! He urged the Corinthians to run the race in such a way that we may obtain the prize. He then contrasted the rewards received in the Grecian games with the one we will receive. “They do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown” (1 Cor. 9:24-26). They received a crown made of olive branches, but we receive the crown of eternal life and righteousness.
Every four years we watch as modern athletes compete for Olympic medals. One of the most exciting races is where teams run relay races by passing the baton from runner to runner. The race is often decided by which team is most successful in passing that baton. If they drop it, they do not stop running but pause long enough to pick it up and then resume the race. Many who watch the races find this one to be the most exciting one.
We use a similar phrase in our culture. In the ancient Greek races, there was a lighted torch passed from one runner to the next. In our day it metaphorically refers to transferring one’s job, knowledge and responsibilities to others when one retires. If you are a Christian, it can refer to you in your spiritual life of service and insuring that when your life ends the work will still be done.
The design of Christianity is for those who are taught to teach others and to teach them to teach others. Paul taught Timothy the gospel and then urged him to take that which he had learned and pass the “torch of truth” to them. “The things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2). The torch was passed from Paul to Timothy to faithful men then to others. There is a sense in which we now have that same torch!
Palm Beach Lakes began a century ago, and we celebrate our 100th anniversary. We owe a debt to all those who over the past ten decades have faithfully served the Lord. The torch is now in our hands. We owe a debt to those who have gone before, but we owe an even greater debt to those in the future. God help us to faithfully pass the torch to others!