Pass the baton

"We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the LORD, about his power and his mighty wonders." Psalm 78:4 NLT

                                                                                   

*As I was packing up supplies for the 50k ultra that I will be running with friends today (most likely starting as many of you are waking up and reading this) to celebrate the 4th of July holiday, I realized (picture the deer in the headlights look) that I had not written my usual blog. With little time to devote to it if I was to get the rest I needed, I prayed and felt led to share this one from 2018. And if you know God, you know that it was no accident. Someone needs to read it. With that said, I pray that it blesses you and reminds you to grant yourself some grace from time to time and to be thankful to live in a country where we are still free to worship our Savior. 

Early yesterday morning I had the pleasure of joining some friends for a 24.2 mile relay to celebrate Independence Day and the 242nd birthday of the United States. While proudly holding high and carrying the American flag, the first runner began their journey at 6 am and traveled a mile until they passed it on to the next runner, with the process continuing until the race was over and the flag reached its' final destination in downtown Waynesville, MO at the Pulaski County Courthouse, where it will proudly be displayed on the flagpole out front.

And you know, when it became my turn and I accepted the flag, carried it for a while and then passed it on, I couldn't help but think how our faith works the same way. You see, in a sense, every believer is in a relay race, carrying the baton of faith and the knowledge of the Lord and of his Word until it's time to pass it on the next generation-and they in turn to the next, and the next and so on until we all reach our final destination. The psalmist clearly understood this and so wrote, "we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and mighty wonders."

So I wonder, are you in the race today? Are you actively pursing a close relationship with the Lord, living a life worthy of being called a follower, so that one day you can pass the baton of faith on to your children and/or the next generation? I certainly hope so my friend. Because it is the job of each and every Christian to do so.

Heavenly Father, thank You for the reminder that the things we do today affect future generations and that as Christians we have an obligation to do everything in our power to ensure those people we leave behind know of Your goodness, grace and mercy. Help us to be faithful in passing on our faith Lord that the cycle might never end. It's in Your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.

Happy Running!!!