Please Pass the Baton

On more than one occasion Paul compares the Christian life to running a race. The image that usually comes to my mind is one of individual competition and Paul even says that only one person gets the prize. However, I’m wondering if the race I’m running more closely resembles a relay race. As part of a relay team I still have an individual responsibility to, “Run in such a way as to get the prize.” (1 Cor 9:24b NIV), but I’m positioned in the leg of the race that is best suited to my abilities. Just as Paul passed the baton to Timothy and others in the early church, the race continues today and everyone has not only an opportunity, but an obligation, to run in the race and carry the baton.