Passing the Baton

It was the 1950’s.

The sport: Track and Field.

The event: Men’s Relay.

At the last minute, the team was short one man, as the story goes. After already running one leg, our dad dashed across the field and was allowed (don’t ask me why) to run a second. One race, two opportunities to pass the baton. That season secured a place for the team in the school’s hall of fame. That race put our dad there.

I never heard this story from his lips. Our mom shared it. His schoolmates told us more about it at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

You see, our dad’s life-race was cut short. More sprint than long distance, his race on this earth ended too soon, at the age of 44.  Yet, in that time, he managed to “pass the baton” more than once. Raising 8 children together and sharing the love of Jesus was our parent’s greatest joy. But it didn’t start there, and it didn’t stop there. His buddies of yester-year also included stories of Dad’s passion, even in college, to tell all he knew of the saving grace and forgiveness won for us by Jesus Christ on the cross. My siblings and I witnessed it firsthand when he entered the seminary and then pastored our church. We were reared to cherish God’s Word, the Bible, and “run the race marked out for us.” The baton was passed.

As a child it was easy to reach for the baton from my dad. But, when that runner was taken from me, I wanted to slam the baton on the ground in anger at God. And for a while I did.

Until I realized three things:  I’m still in the race, the baton is precious, and the exchange zone is oh, so short.

I am still in the race.  Although dad was gone and I was angry, somewhere around age 15, I realized God still had a plan and purpose for me. Dad’s run was over. Mine was just beginning. Jeremiah 29:11 became a life-verse: “For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you, not to harm you. Plans to give you hope and a future.”

The Baton is Precious. Other verses showed me I had a Heavenly Father who treasured and cared for me. He could handle my anger. He welcomed my tears, just has an earthly father comforts an injured child. He wrapped His arms of love around this girl’s heart and whispered, Your dad is with Me. I’ll be your daddy forever and ever. 

So I picked the baton back up and put on my running shoes.

The Exchange Zone is Short. When you lose a parent that young you realize early on that life is short. Do you know the exchange zone in a relay is only 20 meters! The pass-off requires focus and intention. We can’t waste a day!

So many have never heard of God’s redeeming work or His great love for all His children.  His Church has not always extended the baton to all He loves. In fact, we often, like a relay race, pass the baton only to each other. Round and around we go, never leaving the track, never leaving the field. Church, you’ve got to get your running shoes on. It’s time to try long distance. It’s time to enter the communities of those who didn’t have a father or mother or friend who passed the baton.

Maybe that’s you. If the baton was never passed to you, hear you go! We’re in the zone! I humbly proclaim the truth taught to me that God is a God of Love and forgiveness! He hated that sin separated us from Him and sent His Son, Jesus to die. Yes, Jesus also ran a short (33 years) life-changing, eternity-altering race on this earth that ended with His death on a cross and resurrection from the dead! His race set us free from condemnation from our sins. When we receive this baton – this truth – we receive HIM, the greatest gift. It is my prayer that you will receive this. It is a gift of SALVATION, JOY, and LIFE!

If you’ve read this far, I applaud your endurance!  Whether you’re holding the baton for the first time or not, what you do with it is up to you. Some reach for it and drop it. Some grab ahold and sprint with all their might. Others take it but wear it in their back pocket like they have all the time in the world.

Remember, you are still in the race, the Baton is precious, and the exchange zone is short. Get running!

***If you are new to this race and learning about Jesus for the first time, please reach out to me in the comments or on social media. I’m happy to share more!***

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Gretchen Huesmann

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