Religion: A Pastor Ponders

Relay Race of Life

By Pastor William Jenkins

May 24, 2007

I am always interested in the results of the State Track and Field meet. From this years results I noticed that the Bay Area has produced some champion athletes. Though scoring is kept as a team, for the most part Track and Field events are individual events, one individual against a field of other individuals. It is in the relay events that team work is crucial. The commitment to making the relay team successful through persistent practice, the determination not to be a weak link, running as fast as you can, accomplishing clean, crisp handoffs of the baton to the next runner are keys to a success relay race. It is a beautiful thing to watch a baton handoff at full speed when not a stride is lost. Unlike individual events, a relay race has the satisfaction of participating in someone else’s success.

Life is like a relay race, but the stakes are much higher and the responsibility is much greater. Those of us who have children know this only too well. Running the relay race of life with so many batons of attitudes, beliefs, convictions, faith and character traits to be passed on to our sons and daughters is an awesome responsibility. How we run our leg of the race and pass the baton to them will determine how successful our children are able to run their leg of the race and their children to run theirs and so on. The ripple effect of one life can be felt for many generations. As parents we would do well to give occasional consideration to how we are running our part of the relay and the batons we are passing on to our children. The greatest satisfaction in a relay race is to participate in someone else’s success.

The Apostle Paul was a fan of the sporting games. He uses the illustration of wrestling and running frequently. In Hebrews 12:1,2 he advises those of us in the relay to “run with patience the race that is set before you, looking to Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Did I mention that the relay race of life is a long distance event?

League City United Methodist Church is located at 1411 Main Street (FM 518), one block east of Interstate 45. For information, call the church offices at 281-332-1557 or visit the website at

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