Day 65 - Pass The Baton
Genesis 50:24
“Then Joseph said to his brothers, “I am about to die. But God will surely come to your aid and take you up out of this land to the land he promised on oath to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.”
A relay race is a great example of team work. BBC recently replayed the London 2012 Olympics 4 x 400m Relay final (TV content during lockdown is getting short!). Watching it, it’s easy to be sympathetic for those that ran first, second and third, who did not have the euphoric ‘winning moment’ during the final lap, in the way that the fourth person could experience. Despite only one of them finishing the job; each team member had still trained hard to bring their best, knew their essential part to play and enabled the whole team to fulfil their purpose, regardless of which order they ran.
When Joseph was nearing the end of his life, he’d accomplished so much and fulfilled an incredible purpose; but hadn’t finished the job. In fact, the Exodus from Egypt to the promised land would not happen until 144 years later. Joseph knew he needed to pass on the baton to continue God’s story for the Israelites.
We are part of a bigger story. We are just one runner in a race of trillions of people; past, present and future, carrying Jesus’ light to the world around us. Each of us playing our unique part is essential to the relay race of God’s kingdom and the growth of the body of Christ: “For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.” (Romans 12:4-5)
What legacy do you want to leave behind on this earth? It might be that you want to cure cancer and discover a new life species living in space, or you may want to parent your children well and live a Godly life that makes a positive difference to others. Whatever our dreams are, pursuing them with passion and drive is crucial, of course, but they must fall into place under Gods greater plan. Even the mighty athlete Paul knew his place was just to plant the seed, so that the baton could be passed to another who could water and God make grow (1 Corinthians 3:6).
Sometimes we need to be willing to surrender our many years of ministry, our dreams and goals, even our prayers - to God’s bigger plan and allow someone else to take leadership. Knowing our part to play is complete, and handing everything over to God; trusting that if it’s part of his vision for his Kingdom here on Earth, “God will surely come” and he will empower someone else to finish what he started through us.
This may seem disappointing, or even frustrating at first. But it’s not about us, and never has been - it’s all about him. And by passing the baton, we fulfil our incredible God-given purpose to leave a Kingdom legacy on the earth.
Prayer — Father, thank you that I have a part to play and you have prepared good things for me to do. Thank you that my purpose is to simply run my part of your race knowing that one day I will stand on a podium in front of you. To join with all your disciples across the world in the beautiful body of Christ, to see your Kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven. Guide my path and envision me for my unique calling. I surrender my agenda once again to your will, and I trust that you will lead me to 'pass the baton' at the right time. Amen.
James Brumwell & Nick Harding