FEBRUARY 21

PHILIPPIANS 2:16

RUNNING THE RACE!
Aaron stood in place on the race track, alert and ready to spring into action for his lap of the relay race. When the baton was passed to him, the two teams were almost dead even. Sprinting along the track at full speed and pushing himself to his limit, Aaron streaked ahead of his opponent. They were a full metre apart by the end of his run. e opposing team who had been unbeaten for four years never made up the di erence, and Aaron’s team won. Aaron was so excited!

A few weeks later, Aaron and his mother sadly arrived home from his grandfather’s funeral. "I’m sure going to miss Grandpa," said Aaron, tears filling his eyes. "He was the best grandfather a guy could have. I guess he was extra special to me because Dad died when I was very young, so Grandpa was like both grandfather and father."

"Yes," agreed Mother as Aaron picked up a picture of his grandfather and gazed at it. "Grandpa was also a good Christian example for you. He witnessed for Christ everywhere he went, and he always gave a lot of his time and money to help others." Aaron nodded. "A lot of people will miss him," he said with a sigh, "and I don’t know of anyone who can take Grandpa’s place." Mother smiled. "You can take his place," she said. Aaron looked up in surprise. "You see, the Bible says that living the Christian life is like running a race. In a way, it’s like your relay race," explained Mother. " The Christians who have died and gone to heaven ran in their appointed time and place in life – some running well, and some not so well."

"Grandpa sure ran well," said Aaron. "I think he was one of the best runners in life." He paused, then asked, "Am I next in the relay?"

"Yes,"replied Mother. "Grandpa has run his race. In word and deed,he carried the Word of God like a baton as he ran. I think we can say that he’s passed that baton on to you. Take it and run the very best you can – with God’s help, living for His glory."

Thought: Do you know that as a Christian, you are a runner in life’s race? Many "heroes of the faith" have run ahead of you and have gone to their reward. In a sense, the baton has been passed on to you. What kind of race are you running?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for today’s lesson that I must run the race – that my Christian life is a race in itself. Help me to be a disciplined runner, to be alert, and to be good example to others. is is my prayer in Jesus’ name – amen.