The Race, Batons And You
You may be wondering, what have races and batons got to do with me? I don't run, I'm not particularly athletic and I don't intend to start now, what has this got to do with me? Well, it has everything to do with you. The writer of Hebrews makes it clear that our Christian life is a race. We are encouraged to "strip off" every weight that slows us down, whilst paying particular attention to "the sin" that so easily trips us up. He goes on to say we must run our race with endurance. (Hebrews 12:1).
We have been exploring what in means to be a healthy church through our preaching series for the past could of months. God has been underlining some things for us has a church. The fact that we are not alone. Through the ages, God has been protective of His church. Although the church has consistently faced opposition from the first century, yet the gospel, which is the mission of the Church has continued to spread. We have learnt that the Church, we, you are a "treasured possession" of God. (Exodus 19:5). And more recently, we have been focusing on the ministry of the Holy Spirit in the life of the church.
And now, I want us to pay particular attention to what we've been hearing. On 26th of June, Chris Kilby from Life Church Southampton gave us a prophetic word, encouraging us to "Run"! It was an encouragement to those who have been running for a while not to tire, slow down or give up. And he called those who are younger or new to run and pick up the baton from those who have been running. How do you pass on the baton and yet keep running?
I thought it was quite profound that Chris drew the analogy of the point of exchange in a relay race, when the person who has been running passes on the baton to a new member of the team to pick up. There is a moment during the exchange when the runner passing the baton is still running with the baton stretched out for handover, and the person picking up the baton starts running, looking back with hands stretched out to collect the baton. That's the season we are in right now in the Church.
Chris' prophetic word paraphrased... "To the over 50s, you are running well, don't stop running yet! This is not the time of handover yet, keep running, keep running. This season is the most important season of your race. This is when the handover happens, and this is when races are lost and won. To the under 50s, Run, Run, Run with perseverance the race marked out for you. And be looking back a little bit, because there are some over 50s you need to pick things up from. They've been running hard and now is your moment to enter the race with vigour. You are not in training anymore. There are ministries and service in the church you need to pick up. And it's not just about ministries, it's your finances as well. It is not just the older generation that need to obey the call to give generously to the work of the church. Some of you have been watching others do it for years, now you need to pick up the baton."
This season is the season when we fire on all cylinders. EVERYONE, young or older playing their part. I feel this prophetic word speaks of mentoring and coaching the next generation. I see a cross generational relationship developing as we deepen our relationship with each other. I sense a special call for people in their 20s and 30s to step up. It was interesting to me to learn that the majority of those who volunteered for Summer Breeze were over fifty. That's in line with Chris' prophetic word. However, we have not yet seen the 20s and 30s stepping out to volunteer, but I know they are going to.
Run, 20s and 30s run! This is your time. God is raising up a Jay "Jeneration" who will be others centered and give up their time to be a blessing to the church and the community at large. There is a race marked out for us, we must all run it to the very end.
Please watch Chris' prophetic word below:
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