I’m not a runner, I’ve participated in a few 5K’s but I’ve never not finished my race. More than collecting a medal was proving to myself that as much as running isn’t my thing, doing it for a cause and not for glory, made it all worthwhile. Walking is my exercise of choice for two reasons, I get to see a lot more things to appreciate instead of passing it by, and it’s way less taxing on my body. I have never done a relay, but I’ve watched enough of them to know that the one who starts and the one who finishes, hold the greater responsibility. The concept is the same spiritually. The apostle Paul was a starter and a finisher. He wrote these words at the end of his relay, as he passed the baton off to Timothy.
“But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you. As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God. The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful. And now the prize awaits me—the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on the day of His return. And the prize is not just for me but for all who eagerly look forward to His appearing.”
2 Timothy 4:5-8 NLT
The way to lose a race is by being distracted by your opponents. Paul warned Timothy against allowing what was happening around him to influence how he would run with the baton being handed off to him. Timothy was about to lose his mentor and ardent supporter, but he was being equipped for what lay ahead. A clear mind would be his greatest asset. He had learned from and ran with the best. It is very important that we as parents, teachers, preachers, leaders and mentors, provide clear guidance as well as send the right messages to those who are watching or walking alongside us. Godly parenting is made up of alI the titles I mentioned. The first leg of the race begins with us.
Timothy had a mother and grandmother who instilled a love for the Lord in him. 2 Timothy 1:5. Not only through teaching but mainly by being an example. What Paul did was bring clarity to the call that was already on young Timothy. He brought out what was already deposited in him. Some of us may not have had Eunice’s and Lois’ as mentors, but God through His great love for us has raised up Sunday school teachers, or friends who by their examples have introduced us to the relay of godly living.
I’ve written at length about the importance of passing the baton, both in this medium and my book A Single Parents Guide To Raising Children God’s Way.**What we’re currently witnessing in churches today, is a breakdown of Christian families' inability to hand off the baton of faith to their children. That mistake has had far reaching consequences for the church in general and the world at large. Biblical leadership starts in the home before it gets to the church building. What is seen, heard and learned, begins at home. I’m glad that Paul reminded Timothy of that. Our children can’t be reminded, because most have not heard about the importance of faith in God. But for those who have, consistency is key to them remaining faithful. Having clear examples and understanding of what faith in Jesus looks like in this current anything goes culture, is missing. Please read all of 2 Timothy 4. I remember having a conversation with Sheri as she prepared for middle school. It was similar to the conversation Paul was having with Timothy. I prepared her for the pushbacks and the criticism but told her the fight was worth it. To keep being who she was. You’ll never back down if you’re convinced through experience, in Whom and what you believe.
Another person who successfully passed the baton was Elijah. His relay was marked with ups and downs, but he finished strong. He completed his tasks so well that God sent a chariot of fire to bring him home alive. Most die to get to heaven but not Elijah. Enoch, another race runner, did it so well he didn’t need a chariot, he just walked right in. Genesis 5:21-24 To successfully pass the baton without dropping it, requires that the receiver be attuned to what’s going on during the race at all times. There’s constant communication. The passer as well as the receiver must be in one accord. We saw that demonstrated throughout Jesus’ three year ministry with the disciples. Those who weren’t in the race for the long haul dropped out before the baton could be passed. That’s never a good thing.
Parents who quit in the middle of doing what Proverbs 22:6 instructs, will leave a void in their children’s lives that will be filled by others who haven’t any idea about spiritual things. Do not confuse Sunday school or church attendance with your responsibility to train them, to successfully pass the baton will require denying self, discipline, discernment, perseverance and the big one, CONSISTENCY. Doing has to override feelings. There’s no room for flip flopping. Notice I didn’t say perfection. Elijah wasn’t perfect, but he was consistent, Paul and Timothy weren't perfect, but they were consistent, David, Daniel, Moses, Joshua and Samuel weren’t perfect but they were consistent. The race was run on one motto: Jehovah was, is and always will be the One and only true God, Jesus is the only way to God. You’ll finish strong when that’s what you’re running on.
“When the Lord was about to take Elijah up to heaven in a whirlwind, Elijah and Elisha were traveling from Gilgal. And Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Bethel.” But Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you!” So they went down together to Bethel. The group of prophets from Bethel came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?” “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.” Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to Jericho.” But Elisha replied again, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together to Jericho. Then the group of prophets from Jericho came to Elisha and asked him, “Did you know that the Lord is going to take your master away from you today?” “Of course I know,” Elisha answered. “But be quiet about it.” Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, for the Lord has told me to go to the Jordan River.” But again Elisha replied, “As surely as the Lord lives and you yourself live, I will never leave you.” So they went on together. Fifty men from the group of prophets also went and watched from a distance as Elijah and Elisha stopped beside the Jordan River. Then Elijah folded his cloak together and struck the water with it. The river divided, and the two of them went across on dry ground! When they came to the other side, Elijah said to Elisha, “Tell me what I can do for you before I am taken away.” And Elisha replied, “Please let me inherit a double share of your spirit and become your successor.” “You have asked a difficult thing,” Elijah replied. “If you see me when I am taken from you, then you will get your request. But if not, then you won’t.” As they were walking along and talking, suddenly a chariot of fire appeared, drawn by horses of fire. It drove between the two men, separating them, and Elijah was carried by a whirlwind into heaven. Elisha saw it and cried out, “My father! My father! I see the chariots and charioteers of Israel!” And as they disappeared from sight, Elisha tore his clothes in distress. Elisha picked up Elijah’s cloak, which had fallen when he was taken up. Then Elisha returned to the bank of the Jordan River. He struck the water with Elijah’s cloak and cried out, “Where is the Lord, the God of Elijah?” Then the river divided, and Elisha went across.”
2 Kings 2:1-14 NLT
Every possible distraction was placed in Elisha’s way to keep him from receiving the baton. Even Elijah tried multiple times to have him deviate from the plan, but he wouldn’t be deterred. I believe this was a test for Elisha. In order to receive the baton the runner must remain engaged throughout the entire process. Every runner must be prepared to receive the baton. If the one in the middle tells himself that since he isn’t the starter or finisher it doesn’t matter how well he runs, the race is lost. Every runner must train just as hard and be just as engaged from start to finish. It’s imperative that the recipient drown out every opposing and distracting voice. Elisha demonstrated that he was ready for the task of finishing what Elijah had started, and better. He asked for what his mentor called “a hard thing” but in Elisha’s mind it was doable.
Notice what he didn’t ask for. He didn’t ask to do as many miracles, he didn’t ask for the prophetic gifting of Elijah, why? It wasn’t a competition, they were on the same team. He asked for a double portion of his spirit. No wonder Elijah said it was a hard thing. I don’t believe he knew how to do that himself. This had to be the work of God alone, therefore he said the only way this would be possible is if Elisha did not get distracted, but remained engaged in the transition. He said “if you see me when I’m taken your request will be granted.” The enemy wants us to be disengaged from our Leader. He doesn’t want us walking in the Spirit. He wants to keep us distracted by life and all that’s happening around us. We’ll never miss God and make bad or poor choices if we see Jesus. Paul reminds us of those who have passed the baton, and tells us where to fix our eyes.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting Him, He endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now He is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.” Hebrews 12:1-2 NLT
The baton has been successfully passed to us. They didn’t drop it, and neither should we. We have a responsibility to not only run but finish. Whether we’re starters, in the middle or at the end, we’re all called to finish and pass the baton to the next generation beginning in our homes, with our families. Don’t let the voices tell you how impossible it is. All things are possible to those who believe and nothing is impossible with God. We can’t predict the race but we can be sure of the outcome. In a relay everyone receives a medal. It didn’t matter their placement in the race, the same is true of us. In the parable of the workers, they all received the same wages, why? Because they worked in the same field for the same Master. Don’t despise your position in the relay, just finish strong. Don’t drop the baton, pass it. So those coming after you will be assured of winning.
“For the Kingdom of Heaven is like the landowner who went out early one morning to hire workers for his vineyard. He agreed to pay the normal daily wage and sent them out to work. “At nine o’clock in the morning he was passing through the marketplace and saw some people standing around doing nothing. So he hired them, telling them he would pay them whatever was right at the end of the day. So they went to work in the vineyard. At noon and again at three o’clock he did the same thing. “At five o’clock that afternoon he was in town again and saw some more people standing around. He asked them, ‘Why haven’t you been working today?’ “They replied, ‘Because no one hired us.’ “The landowner told them, ‘Then go out and join the others in my vineyard.’ “That evening he told the foreman to call the workers in and pay them, beginning with the last workers first. When those hired at five o’clock were paid, each received a full day’s wage. When those hired first came to get their pay, they assumed they would receive more. But they, too, were paid a day’s wage. When they received their pay, they protested to the owner, ‘Those people worked only one hour, and yet you’ve paid them just as much as you paid us who worked all day in the scorching heat.’ “He answered one of them, ‘Friend, I haven’t been unfair! Didn’t you agree to work all day for the usual wage? Take your money and go. I wanted to pay this last worker the same as you. Is it against the law for me to do what I want with my money? Should you be jealous because I am kind to others?’ “So those who are last now will be first then, and those who are first will be last.” Matthew 20:1-16 NLT
In this parable Jesus was speaking to the Jews who dropped the baton. They were given first dibs on the message of salvation and bringing it to us. Passing the baton as it were. Instead of passing it they despised it and complained when others were brought in. We’re pretty much doing the same thing by competing with other churches and criticizing how the Lord is having them run their race. The only thing that matters or should matter is that we’re on the same team. If we’re following the same rules it shouldn’t matter how we arrive at the results. We have one Master over us all. We’re not competing, we're completing. That’s what Jesus told the workers. Let’s endeavor to be runners that finish strong, leaving a legacy that future Timothy’s and Elisha’s can run with greater anointing.
Written by permission of the Holy Spirit
W. Tennant
September 21, 2021
**For your copy of “A Single Parent’s Guide to Raising Children God’s Way”: