Running the Race

It’s kind of fun to think about the coincidence of the New York City Marathon and All Saints Sunday.  Both fall on the first Sunday in November.  It brings to mind the New Testament passage, often read on this holy day, which urges us to “run with perseverance the race that is set before us.” (Hebrews 12:1)  

Our lives often have been likened to a marathon, requiring dedication, endurance and a lot of perspiration.  The life of faith is much the same: those who hang in there for the long haul get the payoff of a deepening relationship with Christ, a strong connection with those around them and an eternity spent with God.  While runners set their sights on the finish line, Hebrews calls us to “look for Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of our faith.”  

All Saints Sunday makes me think of another kind of race, one that we do not run on our own: the relays.  Relay races require coordination, dedication and teamwork.  You can have great individual stars but lose the race when the team does not work together.  You can have the fastest sprinters but fail miserably if you pass the baton poorly.  

As I think back on my life, I can see that I have not run my race alone.  Countless people---parents, friends, teachers, pastors, coaches and so many more---have passed me the baton of faith.  They have slowed down so I could grab hold of it.  They have walked me through the paces of the race.  They have helped me pick it up when I dropped it, and cheered for me even when I was falling far behind.  

Jesus gave the mission of baton passing to his disciples, “Go into all the world and make disciples of all the nations,” he instructed right before he left them.  “As God has sent me, so I send you.”  Because of their faithfulness and courage, the baton of the gospel was given to a world yearning for hope and nourishment.  That baton has been passed from generation to generation, from nation to nation by those who have taught, preached and lived their faith in Christ.  Because of their trustworthiness, we have a church today.  

More and more, I think of those people who passed the baton to me.  People who taught me about the love of Jesus both in what they said but mostly in what they did.  Kind-hearted souls who looked out for me and gently cared for me just because I was a child of God.  Folks who had faith in me when I had lost faith in myself.  Had they dropped the baton of faithfulness and love, I probably would not be a Christian today.  

On Sunday, November 1, we will again share in the Lord’s Supper, light candles of thanks and remembrance and sing God’s praises for the gifts of the saints in our lives.  We all owe a great debt to those who have gone before us.  This is our day to say thanks.  

And there is no reason we can’t say it everyday.  

Thankfully,

Pastor Roy


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