"Runners On Your Mark..."

Did you know that your personal biography is most likely being written right now?  Somewhere in the heavenlies a divine personality is adding your exploits for the things of God to the continuing pages of the Book of the Acts of the Holy Spirit through the church today.  Acts 1:1 tells us how Jesus “began to do and teach,” (God’s Word ©) but the rest of the unfinished book of Acts tells how the church continues what He had begun.

The Jamieson, Fausset and Brown Commentary states that this verse divides “the work of Christ into two great branches: the one embracing His work on earth, the other His subsequent work from heaven; the one in His own person, the other by His Spirit (through us Believers!).”

Acts 1:1 summarizes the four gospels before Jesus passed the baton on to the new members of His family.  I have related a time or two about my illustrious track career in Junior High (Ha!).  Along with the 220 dash that I ran I also was a part of the 440 relay team.  Each member of the four man team would sprint a lap around the track and then pass a baton on to the next member of the team as he ran his lap.  One of the most important parts of the race was the actual transfer of the baton.  The runner receiving the metal tube had to time his start in order to synchronize his steps with the on-coming runner.  The runner finishing his segment had to time his hand off and release exactly so that the object would not be dropped.

I do remember a race where we mishandled the transfer and dropped the baton.  Believe me, it was not a good feeling!  But it did encourage us to practice harder so that it would never happen again… and it never did!

When Jesus ran His race on this earth, His timing and transfer of the baton was perfect.  Now it is up to us to run our segment of the race to the utmost of our talents and abilities.  Most times, just like with my track experiences, it takes a lot of practice and preparation.  It takes time in the Word, studying the truths of God’s plan, time working with the coach (in this case He is the Holy Spirit assisted by your Pastor and other spiritual counselors) and then it takes time out on the track itself. The more you run, the better you get… There is no other way about it!

But don’t fret… Mark 16:20 tells us that we don’t run the race alone!  There is help all along the way.  This historical account of the activities of the church declares that “The disciples spread the Good News everywhere.  The Lord worked with them.  He confirmed His word (that they spoke and acted upon) by the miraculous signs that accompanied it.” (God’s Word ©)

So what do you got to lose?  “Runners On Your Mark - Get Set! - GO!”

Have a great day today.  Stay in tune to His Word and keep asking yourself… “What RACE am I expecting TO WIN today?”