Publisher's Synopsis
A relay race is a competition, of some kind, where, two or more, participants form a team and take turns completing, or performing, or finishing their required part of a set race-course against another team of contestants.For instance, one type of relay race has four participants on a team and they are called sprinters. Each sprinter runs, his or her pre-SET, but equal distance or leg, carrying a baton, and then passes, the baton, on to the next runner in the exchange zone. ..".I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us..." (Philippians 3:14 NLT). However, in a SPRINT medley relay, some participants, on the same team, can run longer or shorter distances or legs before passing the baton. Regardless of the distance or leg each sprinter runs, the baton must be exchanged in a pre-determined zone and passed on to the next runner in order for the team to FINISH the race, according to the rules. ..".Hold firmly to the Word of life; then, on the day of Christ's return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless..." (Philippians 2:16 NLT). A team is disqualified if the baton is lost, or dropped, or laid down, or improperly exchanged from one sprinter to the other. The last sprinter in the final position is called an ANCHOR and is usually the FASTEST, the BEST, or most EXPERIENCED participant on the TEAM. ..".Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win..." (1 Corinthians 9:24 NLT). The ANCHOR basically has the responsibility for catching up or making up for lost time or any shortcomings of the other TEAM members by TAKING THEM to the FINISH LINE. ..".I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful..." (2 Timothy 4:7 NLT). The Christian journey is often like a relay race and the baton represents your HOPE IN CHRIST TO HELP YOU ENDURE THE RACE TO THE END. ..".run with endurance..." (Hebrews 12:1 NASB). When you have run your distance of days, weeks, months, or years instead of passing the baton; you may laid it down. You have grown weary and can't endure the rest of the distance. ..".Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us..." (Hebrews 12:1 NASB). ..".The fastest runner doesn't always win the race, and the strongest warrior doesn't always win the battle. The wise sometimes go hungry, and the skillful are not necessarily wealthy. And those who are educated don't always lead successful lives...." (Ecclesiastes 9:11 NLT). THOSE WHO DEPEND UPON GOD TO EMPOWER THEM TO ENDURE TO THE END WILL MAKE IT TO THE FINISH LINE AND BE SAVED!
