Pass the Baton, A Race Well Run by J. E. Diaz

    My husband and I are blessed with three amazing, accomplished adult sons.
We believe their lives stem directly from the Master’s shaping them through the lives of other Believers; Amazing Sunday school teachers, Pastors, camp volunteers and small group leaders. All individuals who freely gave in service of families, children and youth. In the image of Christ, those adults patiently ministered with skill and without self-concern, teaching eternal lessons. Those Christian men and women loved young people as if they were their very own without negative ideas and always with the knowledge of truth, even when discipline was needed. As they served, GOD moved through His servants and the baton of faithful Godliness was passed forward to our children. By GOD’s Grace, those adults respected everyone they encountered and never considered themselves babysitters or in charge or entitled. They served outside of their flesh interests. Each adult shared without bitterness, grumbling or dissension. Every one of them was unmistakably loyal to their stated belief and each leader showed accountability to the LORD. Few and far between are Christians who serve with such visionary, eternal purpose
I joyously recall overheard conversations between our sons and some of those leaders as they talked about topics ranging from appropriate video gaming to being a person that GOD would use. I will be forever grateful for the leaders at New Mark Baptist, North Coast and Buena Vista Baptist (Stonebrooke) churches. Today I see their influence in the lives of our sons and know they made an eternal difference. When I grow up, I want to be just like them!
My point, all children are a gift from Almighty GOD. Gifts to be cherished, encouraged and trained in the admonition of the LORD. True Christian adults set an example and a pace for young lives of purpose, thereby freeing up a church body to receive everything the Father has in store. As the laps of our adult race gradually end, young people are just stepping onto the track. Proper equipping and training is key to our collective win. And if we allow, it is also a part of our great reward. Look, the finish line is in view! Let’s lift up our heads, turn away from our own agendas, seek out our order on the roster of Grace and step up to be fit for the run. There is no time better than now to begin to pass forward our batons. Set your pace on a race well run!
“Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight,     and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking     unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross,        despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of GOD.” Hebrews 12:1 & 2