Carrying the Torch

The 2008 Olympics are only days away, and the torch relay is in full swing. Much celebration surrounds the torch bearing tradition and the passing of the Olympic flame from one to another. The torch relay covers thousands of miles before reaching its final destination of honor, illuminating the setting for international peace and sweet victories to be broadcast throughout the world.

How similar this is to the race we are to run for God, bearing the Light of the world. Isaiah 49:6 proclaims God’s future plan to send Jesus the Son to earth, saying “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant…I will also make You a light of the nations so that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” Yet when Jesus came, He told His disciples, “You are the light of the world” (Matthew 5:14, emphasis mine). Jesus came into the world in human form to bring the torch to us, to light the way to eternity. Jesus says he who follows Him will have the light of life, because He is the Light of the world. (John 8:12)

Jesus gives us His light not just for us to have and enjoy, but to share. He said, “nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lamp stand, and it gives light to all who are in the house” (Matthew 5:15). Jesus intended for us to take our places on the lamp stand, giving light to the world on His behalf. He did not light the hearts of Christians and then hide them under baskets. But unfortunately we sometimes ungratefully hide the light He has placed in our hearts. Rather than run the race proudly bearing the torch for Christ, we run our own races proudly for ourselves, bearing our own selfish banners, ignoring the precious eternal flame entrusted to us. We are called to hold high the flaming symbol of victory high above our own heads so that the light is noticed, not the runner. As the Olympic torch calls attention to a matchless day of rejoicing for athletes, so much more should the light of Jesus call attention to the coming day of redemption to be celebrated by Christians around the world.

“The light of the righteous rejoices, but the lamp of the wicked goes out” (Proverbs 13:9). The righteous cherish and protect the light within them so that they can pass it on as commanded. His Light rejoices over the righteous life. I pray He has lit your torch with His light. If so, is it burning brightly for Him, and a source of joy in your life? Or is your lamp flickering weakly, merely a glimmer of the hope that He gave you?

“Light the passion, share the dream.” This is the motto of the 2008 Olympic Torch Relay. As Christians, we have more than a dream to share; we have a living hope and a blessed assurance in Jesus Christ. So, light your passion within, and share the hope you have in Christ. Raise His torch so that many can see. And unlike the Olympic torchbearers, when you pass the light to others, keep your torch aflame and keep running the relay for Him, so that the Light may multiply and His salvation may reach to the end of the earth.