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Fellowship of Christian Athletes -
Title: Get in the race and pass it on!
Read: Psalms 119:9-11
Written by: Jere Johnson (FCA Staff-Chicago)
READY:
"I have hidden your word in my heart that I might not sin against you."
- Psalms 119:11
SET:
It was the first race of his freshman year in high school in the small town in Indiana. Was he ready? Did he train properly? Who was the competition? These were all thoughts that rushed through his head as he entered the starting blocks.
The 400-meter relay - a great race. Timing, precision, teamwork were all a part of this outstanding race. Was he worthy to be on this team as only a freshman and then have the responsibility to lead off? He has a great junior high career, setting 8 school records, but this was high school, the big time!
Set in the blocks, inside lane, judge's ready - teammates anxiously waited their turn to run, all hoping to finish first! Runners to your mark, set, BANG! They were off. The young freshmen dash ahead, blazing down the track. He could hear everyone yelling his name, wow he must be doing good. He looked up and his teammate was jumping up and down with excitement as he approached the crucial point in the race, the first hand off.
Just then, this young, skinny freshman realized one important thing. All the cheers and excitement were not because he arrived first at the handoff point, but that he left his baton in the starting blocks. He was so excited about his first race in high school, that he left without his proper equipment, the one thing that is needed to be a part of this important race.
Embarrassed and empty inside, he walked off the track. Yes, he finished his day of events, but he never forgot to start the race off right. He never left his baton at the start again.
In Psalms 119, we read "I have hidden YOUR word in myheart, that I might not sin against you". If not, we'll be like this freshmen boy who left his baton in the blocks. We need God's word each day to start our daily race off in the right way. But it does not end there. We need to hand off our baton (God's word) to others each day. We need to share the goodness and grace of our loving Savior to those we see each day.
In the end, the young freshmen grew up to have a great high school track career and set several records along the way, but one thing I never forgot was to leave my baton in the blocks again. Each day as I serve FCA in the Chicagoland area, I am challenged to start my race in God's word so I may be ready to pass it on to those around me, so they in turn can continue our race, God's race to His kingdom!
God bless you as you pass your spiritual baton on to those in need!
GO:
1. How many times do we leave our homes in the morning without our daily preparation and the right equipment?
2. Do you start your day with the right equipment by spending time with God and hiding His word in your heart?
THE WORD:
To learn more, check out:
1 Timothy 4:8
1 Timothy 4:12-16
1 Peter 3:15
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Jere is on staff with FCA as the Area Director for the Chicago North Suburbs. He ran track at Taylor University and has coached 15 years in various sports (basketball, track, baseball, volleyball, and golf) and has coached every level, from elementary to college.
