Each time the Olympic Games take place, I take time to watch some of the events and cheer the athletes on. I’m always struck by the determination and drive of these athletes as I watch them tumble, swim, dive, bike, row, ride, shoot, or race to be at the top of the awards platform and see their country’s flag hoisted above the others and hear their national anthem played for the world to hear.
For me, some of the most inspiring events are the relays. Whether they are swimming or running, I love to see the team aspect of a relay race. In many of the other events, you see the individual athlete trying to perform at his or her best to achieve victory, and while their teammates are cheering them on, their success is totally up to them.
In a relay however, you have four individuals who must work together to win the race. Additionally, the win cannot be accomplished by just being the fastest but is also dependent upon the timing and execution of the handoff between the participants. We’ve all seen certain victory turn into crushing defeat as a baton is dropped or a swimmer takes off before their teammate touches the wall. The “hand-off” is crucial.
In Hebrews 12:1, the writer compares our faith journey to a race.
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by
such a great cloud of witnesses,
let us throw off everything that hinders and
the sin that so easily entangles.
And let us run with perseverance the race
marked out for us”
And, while a faith walk is a very personal thing, I believe that it is also very much a team effort. And to take this analogy one step further, it is a bit like a relay.
There are certain dynamics in a relay race that apply to our faith journey.
Ability to Start Well
When assembling a relay team, the coach will assess his team to see which athletes have the ability to start well. A good solid start is the best way to get the race off on the right foot (pun intended).As you know, false starts can lead to disqualification and a slow start means the team is already behind.
The Hand-Off
The hand-off is a crucial piece to the relay race. There is not only the crucial timing factor, but it also requires a lot of coordination to continue running at top speed while reaching out to grab the baton.
The Drive to a Strong Finish
The final element to a solid relay team, is a runner if can finish well. The person doesn’t have to be the fastest, but he/she does have to possess grit and determination. Regardless of where the team is in the standings when the final leg of the race begins, that runner needs to be able to give 100+ percent of his/her ability to win the race. While some may feel that finishing the race is enough, a coach is looking for an athlete that has the passion to not only finish, but to win.
Let’s take a few moments to consider how these three elements apply to our walk with Christ.
In Matthew 13, Jesus tells the parable of the Sower. This illustrates to me how important it is to “start well”.
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. As he was scattering the seed, some fell along the path, and the birds came and ate it up. Some fell on rocky places, where it did not have much soil. It sprang up quickly, because the soil was shallow. But when the sun came up, the plants were scorched, and they withered because they had no root. Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. Still other seed fell on good soil, where it produced a crop—a hundred, sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
In this scripture, we find that only the seed that landed on good soil actually grew and produced a crop. The other seeds all started at the same time, but for one reason or another, they were not able to “finish” what they began.
What things do we allow in our lives that might be keeping us from getting a good solid start to something that God is asking us to do?
The “hand-off” is the second element. As believers, we are often faced with many ministry opportunities. However, it’s important to know when to hand-off that ministry to another person. I have seen many people suffer from burn-out, frustration, and offence simply because they would not let go of the “baton”. This was never God’s intention or plan for us. Yes, He has things for us to do and accomplish. But we also need to know when to let go. While the “hand-off” means that this particular race for you is over, it also means that you begin training and preparing for the next race. As long as we are alive, there are things for us to accomplish for the Kingdom of God.
The final element is “finishing well”.
When our oldest was getting ready to graduate, I overheard a mother of one of her friends say that her daughter had received a “D” in one of the required courses. The mother went on to say “D for done is good enough for me.” Is it any wonder that we see so much mediocrity in the world around us? Finishing something is not the same as finishing well.
While in Prison, the apostle Paul wrote to Timothy “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” (2nd Timothy 4:7).
Paul knew the importance of finishing well. Even though he was in prison, Paul continued to minister the gospel of Jesus Christ though letters. It was during his imprisonment that Paul wrote Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, Philemon, & 2nd Timothy. Paul was determined to not let his circumstances dictate his ability to finish the race that God had set before him.
Today, where are you on your journey?
Just starting? Then purpose in your heart to start well. Remove those things in your life that will hinder your ability to grow and flourish.
Feeling tired and burned out? It might be time to consider a hand off. Seasons come and go and it’s important to our physical and spiritual health to recognize when God is moving us to a new season.
Is the finish line in sight? Then press on. Don’t let the things you see with your eyes blind you to what you know in your spirit to be true. You may find yourself in last place with very little energy left; the odds seemingly stacked against you. Don't lose heart. I encourage you to press on and finish well.
“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.”
The Apostle Paul, (1 Corinthians 9:24)
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