When it comes to running, let’s just say I am built for comfort and not for speed. 

With that stated, I have great appreciate for sprinters; appreciation borne out of jealousy.  I enjoy watching track events, especially relay races.  With great concentration, these runners also have the dexterity to pass a baton between them while both run full speed.  The winner is the relay team whose runner passes the finish line first with possession of the baton.  A team may have the fastest runners, but if they cannot hand off the baton, they lose the race.  Passing the baton is the most crucial moment of the relay race.

Psalm 71:18 – So even to old age and gray hairs, O God, do not forsake me, until I proclaim your might to another generation, your power to all those to come.

Unless the Lord plans to allow me to live to be 105 or older, I have lived over half my life.  God has gradually placed a burden on my heart to invest in younger people.  I don’t know how many years I have left , but I am in the “changeover box,” as they call it.  I have identified three “runners” to whom I want to hand a baton.

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Passing My Baton 

First, and foremost, I want to finish strong and hand the baton of faith to my daughter.  She knows I am not perfect; we can’t hide our flaws from those closest to us.  But I want her to see me love and trust God passionately.  I hope that she will learn how to walk with Jesus from watching me.

Second, I want to pass the faith along to students God brings into my life through church and other opportunities. Having a student minister does not prevent me from having the privilege to invest in our students also.  Our students are equal partners with adults in our church. I am just as much their pastor as I am the adults’ pastor.  Our students are not our FUTURE; they are our PRESENT.

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Third, I want to invest in younger men in ministry.  I am a living, walking text book on how NOT to do a lot of things.  When I was younger, I had pastors to encourage me and “show me the ropes” of ministry. Those men were, and are, a great blessing to me; and I want to bless others with the same blessing.

What About Your Baton?

You don’t have to be in ministry to be a mentor. All of us have opportunities to pass the faith along to the next generation.  You can start with your kids and grandkids. 

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Ladies, younger women in your church would benefit greatly from your experience. (Titus 2:2-3) Men, you probably are surrounded by young boys and young men who could benefit from a Godly male influence. (2 Timothy 2:2)

You need no formal training, and there is no “official” program you follow.  Simply make an intentional effort to positively invest in the lives of the newt generation.  Come with no other agenda than to love them and do all you can to help them grow in their faith.

All of us have a baton of experience walking with the Lord.  To whom will you pass your baton?

Let’s make it practical.

Think of 1 person in your family and 1 person not in your family in whom you will invest. 

Pray about what you can do to pass along your faith and help them walk more closely with God.

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