In the first 8 verses of Psalm 78, the writer challenges his readers to take stock of the record of God’s work in the lives of those who went before them. He says we must never forget the lessons “…that our fathers have passed down to us.” He goes on to say that now we too must “tell a future generation the praises of the LORD, His might, and the wonderful works He has performed.”

Bryan Wilkerson tells about the importance of “The Hand Off” in his book, “From Generation to Generation.” He says, “The American women’s relay race team was favored to win the gold medal in the 4-by-100 relay race in the 2004 Summer Olympic Games in Athens, Greece. The team featured Marion Jones, a sprinter who had won four gold medals at the previous games in Sydney. Indeed, the American team was off to a strong start when Jones took the baton for the second leg of the race. She gained ground as she ran her 100 meters and approached Lauryn Williams, who would run the third leg.”

“Williams began running as Jones got close, but when she reached back to receive the baton, the women couldn’t complete the handoff. Jones thrust the baton forward three times, but each time Williams failed to grab it. Finally, on the fourth try, the runners made the connection. But by that time, they had crossed out of the twenty-yard exchange zone and were disqualified. Everyone knew they were the fastest team on the track, but because they couldn’t complete the handoff, they lost the race.”

It is important for one generation to set the pace for others by living authentically, but at a certain point a handoff must be made to the next generation. The race can be won or lost by the handoff! It’s not just the responsibility of parents, but of all believers to live authentic Christian lives and to set the Spiritual pace for the younger members in God’s family, then pass on the baton to them.

Chuck
“Both day and night belong to you; you made the starlight and the sun. You set the boundaries of the earth, and you made both summer and winter.” (Psalm 74:16-17)