A baton is a short rod, a staff of office or a symbol of rank.  A relay race is a team event where consecutive runners pass the baton to the next team-mate on completion of their stage of the race.

As Christians we have a race set before us.  This race is a team event which started with our Lord Jesus Christ.  When Jesus Christ completed His stage of the race, He passed the baton (Message of Salvation) to His disciples, telling them to go out and evangelise, (John 17:18).

Since then, many generations have taken the Gospel-baton and sprinted for God’s glory, passing it on from Christian to Christian.  Now, after two thousand years, the baton has been passed to us.

Life is our stage of the race and we have an amazing opportunity to fulfil God’s purpose for our life.  The Gospel-baton is now in our hands we must be careful not to be distracted and drop it.

Like all true Christian athletes, we should concentrate on one objective – to run for the glory of God.  But we can relax; whether we succeed or fail in our leg of the race, the baton will eventually be passed to the next generation of Christians.  We need not worry about the race outcome.  By reading our Bible we learn that the Christians win.

“These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace.  In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world.” John 16:33