Passing the Baton

I have watched many relay teams in action and never cease to be amazed at the accuracy and determination necessary for passing the baton from one runner to another.  We are told that good relay teams spend hours just practicing the passing of the baton.  The runners know that dropping it always means losing the race. 

We too, are in a relay race of life.  It will be our turn one day to pass the baton to the next runner.  Therefore, like a member of a good relay team, one must develop effective strategies that will provide an opportunity for success for the one taking the baton.  This takes a lot of determination, commitment and practice.  To drop the baton is to lose the race and this is not an option.  One must take seriously the things important to pass on to the next generation.  It is so easy to take the path of least resistance and leave the next generation unprepared to take the baton and succeed.   

What are some things we want to pass on?  The baton we are carrying may represent simple things like attitude, understanding, moral values, faith in God, or a desire to serve God and others, just to name a few.  Passing the baton of faith is especially important in this generation because there are so many forces working against us, and especially, against our children and grandchildren. 

Therefore, it is important to teach our children that there are boundaries and principles that cannot be crossed. I know this is not a very popular concept.  However, we must, by our example teach them how to say “no” before it is difficult to say no, and never be willing to compromise in order to win!  The story was told about a small boy that packed his bag and told his parents he was running away from home.  After walking around the block three or four times a police officer asked what was going on.  He said, “I’m running away from home.”  Then why are you just walking around the block like this.  “You don’t understand, Sir; I’m not allowed to cross the street.”

While we are in charge of the baton, let us stay focused on winning the race.  Do not allow the baton to be dropped or handed off in an awkward fashion.  The race is won only when the finish line is crossed.  Our responsibility is to carry the baton faithfully, pass it on so the next runner has a chance, and then cheer them on for the win.

“No matter how talented, trustworthy and treasured the leaders of a generation are, the baton has to change hands one day. The old has to give way to the young. Prime time becomes past time in no time.”[1]

1 Cor 9:25-27a “All athletes practice strict self-control. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize.  So I run straight to the goal with purpose in every step. I am not like a boxer who misses his punches. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should.”  NLT

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[1] Victor Yap

Cherish the Moment

I remember a song years ago entitled, “I overlooked an orchid while searching for a rose.”[1]  This statement has far more meaning now that one looks back over ones life.  Its original meaning was for a young woman, but can be very meaningful for the common, everyday things of life.

Life is so fragile and yet it is easy to be caught in the “rat-race” and never take time to enjoy the beauty and significance of the present.  When God created the heavens and the earth, over and over, we read the statement, “And God saw that it was good.”[2]

Every day, there are good experiences being created all around us and it makes a tremendous difference in our life to recognize these and declare, “It is good.”  One may say, “You don’t understand; my life is in turmoil.”  Looking at the larger picture, this may be the reality; however, concentrating on the smaller increments of time and cherishing every minute of every day will make a difference in the way we build the larger picture.  There is a stanza of a poem by an unknown author that states, “Yesterday has crumbled tomorrow is today.  Just follow your heart let love lead the way.  So we reach for the stars and swallow the sun, cherish the moment when our time has come.”

Each of us can change the outcome for all the things going on in our life.  I like a quote, “I can’t change the direction of the wind, but I can adjust my sails to always reach my destination.”[3]  So, as we become more observant of the precious moments of time, take time to smile and the frowns will disappear; laugh aloud and peripheral noise no longer you will hear.  Show expressions of love and hate will subside, say thanks to others and the emphasis on self will no longer abide. Show appreciation to God and others, and the “God moments” will increase, express words of encouragement to others and discouragement will decrease.

When we take our immediate focus from ourselves and focus on others, we will see that the orchids in life are all around us and the orchids do not have the thorns on the stems like the rose, as beautiful as they are.  Cherish the moment; beauty is in the present and dreams are good but always in the future tense.

 “…Don't worry whether God will provide it for you.  These things dominate the thoughts of most people, but your Father already knows your needs.  He will give you all you need from day to day if you make the Kingdom of God your primary concern.”[4] 

Cherish the Moment!

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[1] Carl Story-1950

[2] Gen 1:10-11 NLT

[3] Jimmy Dean

[4] Luke 12:29-31 NLT

Security Check

I just realized that it was time once again to change the batteries in the security system, smoke detectors, and test the system to reduce the risk of failure.  After completing the task, I turned the computer on, and immediately received a message that the computer may be at risk for security.  These potential security risks immediately made me think of life in general and how vulnerable we are today.

It is unbelievable as we reflect on the many catastrophic events happening around the world in recent years.  Still fresh in our minds is the destruction of the twin towers, global financial melt-down, natural disasters such as the BP oil spill, hurricanes of major proportion, flooding throughout the world and snowfall of record amounts, to earthquakes in Haiti, Chile, and now Japan.  These disasters cause us to ask, “Why?”  We may speculate about the reasons, however answers are just hard to find and even more difficult to understand.

As the world watched in real time the devastation of Japan this week with the earthquakes and then the tsunami, one cannot help but realize just how fragile life is.  Our hearts and prayers go out to all the suffering and loss the people are experiencing.  This should encourage us to be more thankful each day for the life we have.  We face potential security and personal risks constantly; we can take all kinds of precautionary measures to ensure our personal systems are working properly.  However, when we look at the larger picture, there are things of which we have no control.  It is then that we must realize, “The things beyond myself, I leave to God.”

Each of us has some degree of compassion for those going through personal disasters but often feel so helpless.  There are many ways to show people that we care.  I am reminded of a young girl that was late coming home for supper.  Her mother asked, “Where have you been?”  The girl replied, “My friend wrecked her bike and I was helping.”  “Helping?  You don’t know how to fix a bike!”   “  I know,” she stated.  “I was helping her cry.”  We must never give up on offering compassion, in whatever form one can give, because it encourages others to keep holding on.  “You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”[1]

One may have feelings of insecurity and no clear vision of what to do next, but we can be sure that when we rest our insecurity in the security of God, everything will work for our good in the end because He is faithful.  One may be going through troublesome times, but one must always remember, tough times do not last forever.  There is a rainbow waiting in your future.  The darkest hour of the night is just before dawn.  Keep your head up high and stop looking down at the problems; look up to see the rainbow.  We do not have to carry these burdens alone.  The Scripture tells us, 1 Peter 5:6-7 “So humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and in his good time he will honor you.  Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about what happens to you.”  NLT “Is your security in the things that are of transient value or in God who is always present to help?

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[1] Ralph Waldo Emerson

Everyone has a Story!

I took the old Mustang to the town square today for a vintage car show. I never cease to be amazed at the beauty of these creations.  I think I enjoy listening to the stories behind these beauties as much as looking at the cars.  As I listened to some of the stories, I was reminded of buying an old Chevy years ago and as the new car was being replaced with the old one in the garage I heard a familiar voice say, “that’s a piece of junk.”  Of course the common response in return was, “you can’t look at what is now, but what it will be when it is finished.  This car has great potential.” 

If only these cars could talk about the restoration.  I believe the stories would parallel our life over time.  Some would say, “I had such potential when my journey began.  I was beautiful when I rolled off the assemble line.  Over time, I allowed the elements of the world to cause deterioration, and I was just set aside for junk.  Then one day a master craftsman saw me, looked beyond my faults, and saw what I could be.  That was a great day when he saw what I could be, bought me, and began the transformation.  I can tell you every imperfection that I had and still have because I still not perfect.  I just wish I could tell you a story of pride before being found but I cannot. However, now things are very different.  The owner is very proud of me now that I am finished.  He continues to make improvements and polishes me continuously as he shows off his work.  I am so glad he didn’t give up on me because I am once again something special in the master’s eyes.”

Each of us has a story.  That story is quite different with each of us.  Some have a story of one still in the show room condition; others, a story of how outside influences caused deterioration; perhaps others with a story of total devastation.  The key to each story is that it is never too late to yield our life to the Master Craftsman.  Our life may in a state of waiting in limbo, the beginning of the restoration project or it may be in the final stages of the restoration.  We must remember that no matter what stage we are in, the Owner is always proud of the original creation and wants to take us there again.  Each of us is a bundle of potentiality and even though we may be a work in progress, be proud of who you are and where you will be when the restoration is complete. 

Notice the words from Psalms 139:13-17 “Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother's womb. I thank you, High God—you're breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I'd even lived one day. Your thoughts—how rare, how beautiful!  God, I'll never comprehend them!”

Valentine’s Day

      Valentine’s Day is a special day designated on February 14 to express love and appreciation for someone special.  It is more than a day for chocolates, or florist to sell his flowers or Hallmark to sell the cards.  Why is it necessary to have a special day to show a person you care for them?  Unfortunately, many people have difficulty expressing their true feelings.  A story was told of an older couple that had been married for more than fifty years.  The woman asked her spouse, “Why don’t you ever tell me you love me?”  Most of the time, she would received only blank stares.  One day she asked the question again, and in a tone of irritation, he stated, “I told you fifty years ago that I loved you and that if I ever changed my mind I would tell you.  Well, I haven’t changed my mind yet.”

      Love is a very difficult word to define.  We love food, we love things, we love people, and therefore, the true meaning of love is often lost in the emotions of the moment.  Many look at true love just as an emotion.  Emotion is a part of love but it goes much farther that than.  An unknown writer stated, “Loving is not just looking at each other, it's looking in the same direction.”  Another way of expressing this is, “Love is not just looking into each others eyes; it’s walking hand in hand with each other.”

      Love is giving—not getting.  Richard Braunstein wrote, “It is possible to give without loving, but it is impossible to love without giving.”  Another has written, “When you give away your love, that doesn't mean it's gone.  Love will last forever, so open your heart...and pass it on.”  The greatest definition of love one can find is in 1 Corinthians 11:4-7, “Love is patient and kind.  Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude.  Love does not demand its own way.  Love is not irritable, and it keeps no record of when it has been wronged.  It is never glad about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out.  Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.  Love will last forever.”  NLT 

So on this Valentine’s Day, would it not be nice to hear someone say or hear, “I love you more every day.  In fact when I awoke this morning, I thought it was tomorrow!”  Watch what a difference it makes---if, stated in sincerity.   

Have a great Valentine’s Day!

Greener Grass

      The lawn is starting to grow again and while looking around the neighborhood, the yard just did not look as green as the neighbors yards.  I called the landscaper and he came out, applied some weed-killer and some fertilizer, to help jump start the natural look of the yard.  He also left special instruction on what to do weekly to ensure its growth and beauty.

      Years ago while working many hours every day, my wife was complaining (concerned) about how much greener the grass was across the street than ours.  I had always heard the statement, “The grass is always greener on the other side,” so I decided to see if the statement was true.  So I took a walk down and across the street and looked back at my yard.  To my surprise, my yard looked better than the yards of my neighbors.  I could hardly wait to take my wife for a walk that evening.  Of course, I would never tell her that my intention was to stop and look around at the beauty of the neighborhood yards and especially ours.        

      I heard the story of one driving by a large parcel of land with a wooden fence all around the property.  He could not help but notice how beautiful the green grass was on the land.  However, there was something strange about the setting.  Two horses had managed to stick their heads out of small openings in the fence grazing on grass outside.  They too, must have thought the grass was greener on the other side.

      This seems to be a natural tendency to compare what we have to those around us.  Of course, there are exceptions to every rule, but the statement, “the grass is always greener on the other side,” should be the exception and not the rule.  Concentrating on what is on the other side of the street will often cause us to live in another world where life is no longer anything but a dream.  There is nothing wrong with dreaming but we must walk through reality to reach that dream. 

       We often think to ourselves, “If I only had this, or if I only had that, life would be better.”  It is like the horse that strains his head through the fence in an effort to graze somewhere else. We think the “grass is always greener on the other side.” The result of such activities is that the peace and grace of God is diminished from our soul and life is pulled right out of us.

      Perhaps it is time to stop looking across the street and stop straining our head through the fence in an effort to graze somewhere else.  As a child living in Kentucky, we had a large family and our yard was our playground.  There was not much grass but we had the cleanest dirt around.  I still remember hearing that familiar voice of my mother saying, “Go out and sweep the yard.”  The Scripture tells us is Psalms 23, “God, my shepherd!  I don’t need a thing.  You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from.  True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction” Message Bible.  God has a plan for us and we may not have grass in our own yard but we can have the most beautiful dirt in the neighborhood.

      The grass is not always greener on the other side!

Choose Life

      What is the meaning of life?  This is a question asked throughout the centuries of time.  We have all the pre-recorded answers but the answers do not match our particular situation at times.  The writer of Ecclesiastes, in the Old Testament, asked similar questions like, "Where can I find fulfillment when I seem to be going in circles?" and "Who is really in control when my world turns up-side-down?"  Solomon had it all; riches, fame, status, wisdom and yet he searched for answers to the same questions we have asked.  He reached the conclusion that one cannot find true and lasting contentment in life in secular wisdom, or sensual pleasures, or worldly greatness and glory, or in abundance of riches, but in the things that have lasting values from God. 

      One may say, “That was easy for him to say, he had everything.”  Just take a moment and think about a time when life was at its best for you.  What made it so great?  When reflecting on mine, it was not the expensive vacations or the fancy restaurants; we found that life was good in the simple things we did.  Regina Brett quoted that “Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”  She further stated that, “Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.”  Each of us goes through difficult situations but these events do not have to take the “good” out of life.  We have the power to turn every failure and disappointment into a transformational moment.  If we live our life based on events, then we will continue asking, “Where is the good life?”  We need to change from an event-oriented life to a process driven life that keeps us focus on what life is all about.

Charles Swindoll attributes “life” to our attitude.  He stated, “The remarkable thing is we have a choice every day regarding the attitude we will embrace for that day. We cannot change our past. We cannot change the fact that people will act in a certain way.  I am convinced that life is 10% what happens to me, and 90% how I react to it. And so it is with you ... we are in charge of our Attitudes.”  So today, we have the opportunity to “choose our life.”

      One can look at their life as looking at a glass; it is either half-full or half-empty.  It all depends on whether one takes charge of the circumstances or allows the circumstances to be in charge.  We have the power to choose!  Albert Einstein: “There are two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle.”

Matthew 6:34, “Give your entire attention to what God is doing right now, and don’t get worked up about what may or may not happen tomorrow.  God will help you deal with whatever hard things come up when the time comes.” Message Bible