Passing the Baton of Faith
When I was in middle school, I ran in the 4x100 relay. To be honest, I wasn’t a terrible runner. My speed wasn’t the problem. The problem came when it was my turn to pass the baton. Somehow, I always fumbled it. Sometimes I’d drop it, sometimes I’d miss the timing, and sometimes I’d grip too tightly or let go too soon. If you know anything about relay races, you know the baton exchange is the most critical part. The whole team depends on each runner not only to run their leg well, but also to successfully pass the baton to the next runner.
Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 1:1–14 are a lot like a baton pass. Paul, nearing the end of his own race, reminds Timothy of the faith passed down to him from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice. He encourages Timothy to “rekindle the gift of God that is within you” and to hold firmly to the sound teaching he has received. In other words, Paul is saying: “The baton of faith is in your hand now. Don’t drop it. Run well with it. And when the time comes, pass it on.”
Faith, much like a relay race, is never just about one runner. Each of us has received the gospel from someone else, parents, grandparents, Sunday school teachers, pastors, or friends. And just as importantly, each of us is called to pass it on faithfully to the next generation.
Here’s the challenge: it’s easy to fumble the baton. We can get distracted by the busyness of life. We can cling too tightly to fear or let go too soon by assuming someone else will carry it. But Paul reminds Timothy and us that God has given us a spirit of power, love, and self-control. We don’t run in our own strength, but in the strength of the Spirit.
So let’s ask ourselves today:
Who handed the baton of faith to me?
Am I running my part of the race with faithfulness and courage?
Who am I preparing to pass the baton to next?
The relay of faith is too important to fumble. By God’s grace, may we run our part well and pass it on with care—so that the next generation can continue the race marked out before them.
In God’s grip,
Pastor Chuck Church
Prayer:
Lord, thank You for those who passed the gift of faith to me. Give me courage, love, and discipline to run my race faithfully. Help me to pass the baton of faith to others so that the good news of Jesus continues to change lives. Amen.
