Same. Still. Strong.Sample

Give Over; Finish STRONG

“As for me, my life has already been poured out as an offering to God.
The time of my death is near. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race,
and I have remained faithful.” – 2 Timothy 4:6-7 (NLT)

The 4x100m relay is likely one of the most popular events at each of the Olympic Games. It is often seen as the completion of all the sprinting events seen on the track. It is the chance for the best sprinters from each country to work together for a place on the podium, whether they performed well in their individual events or not.

On Elijah’s last day on earth, he was walking with Elisha from town to town. At each town the older prophet tells Elisha that he is welcome to stay behind, but Elisha keeps tagging along. At almost every town, the prophets who serve there ask Elisha whether he knows that Elijah will be taken away. Everyone knows Elijah is on his way to Heaven, but only one man chooses to go with him as far as possible…

Elijah was ready to pass the baton and complete his leg of the race on this day. Likewise, Elisha was also ready to fill the gap, to take the baton, and to run the race further when the time came. He was ready to finish strong. The many other prophets only stood along the way to watch the show. Elijah and Elisha passed the baton, the other prophets passed the buck.

If you want to finish a race strong, you must keep on until the end. And in the case of a relay, you must have the right teammates as well. Are you standing in the gap with your friends and family to pass the baton? Or are you standing beside the way, dropping the baton and instead passing the buck when it comes to raising your kids and making disciples for the next generation?

If the Lord is in something, it is rock solid. May your foundation be strong in Jesus Christ. And may you know who is with you on the frontlines of life’s battles. May you know what to pick up and what to give over. Psalm 127 speaks of biological and spiritual children being as arrows in our quiver. Friends and colleagues, family and children, are all like arrows entrusted to us.

What are you doing with the arrows in your quiver?

Are you sharpening them? Are you smothering them? Are you silencing them?

Elisha received a double portion of Elijah’s anointing. And he went on to do twice the miracles. Who are the people heading in the same direction you are? From whom are you taking the baton and to whom will you in turn pass the baton? This might determine just how strong you will be on life’s track.

Make sure that you are heading in the SAME direction as those you team up with.

Be STILL in God’s presence regularly enough to face the storms and struggles.

Stay STRONG in sticking with righteous perspectives and persons.