REFLECTIONS

The Handoff

Shockwaves electrified the world. In an instant, bright dreams fell to darkness, excitement turned to gloom, and glory sank in defeat. Who could imagine four of the fastest men in the world, sharply honed by hours of rehearsal, possibly make such a mistake. But they did. The handoff failed. And a nation mourned.

Our lives are much like that relay team except the baton we pass is more than a stick. We are called to handoff the gospel of God’s grace as Jesus commissioned us. “… go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20) It’s his handoff to you and me. It’s up to us now to receive the baton and to pass it on.

James wrote, “[Be] doers of the word…;” and Moses warned, “Only be careful, and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live. Teach them to your children and to their children after them.” (Deuteronomy 4:9)

These are the commands, decrees and laws the Lord your God directed [Moses] to teach you to observe in the land that you are crossing the Jordan to possess, so that you, your children and their children after them may fear the Lord your God as long as you live by keeping all his decrees and commands that I give you, and so that you may enjoy long life. (Deuteronomy 6:1-3)

For a time, we received handoffs from our parents and grandparents, from our teachers, and from others we admire. We learned from stories they told, from lessons in their daily lives, but most powerfully, through living out their faith that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 NKJV)

Now it’s our turn—our turn to tell the stories, to live out our faith, and most importantly to tell of God’s inestimable love and his grace. Then to pray:

O God, be merciful to us and bless us; / look on us with kindness,

so that the whole world may know your will; / [and] all nations may know your salvation.

May the peoples praise you, O God; / may all the peoples praise you! (Psalms 67:1-3 TEV)

Amen

“You are the light of the world,”

Richard +

www.reflectingthesavior.org

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