Unstoppable

1. Embrace your role in God's divine relay race

The divine relay is tough. The track is treacherous. There are so many ways to mangle the exchange zones, to overshoot, to be knocked off the track, to drop the baton, to stop running.

God's grand plan. The divine relay is God's eternal plan for humanity, where each believer plays a crucial role in passing on the baton of faith. This race isn't confined to a specific time or place but spans generations and covers the entire earth. Every Christian is called to run their unique part, carrying the message of God's love and truth to the world.

Your unique position. God has specifically chosen you for this time and place in history, equipping you with unique gifts and talents to serve His purpose. Your race isn't just about personal spiritual growth but about impacting the world around you. Whether you feel ready or not, God has deemed you qualified to play your part in His divine plan.

Key aspects of the divine relay:

• Intergenerational impact
• Global reach
• Personal responsibility
• Divine qualification

2. Rely on God's strength, not your own limitations

We must never assess a difficulty in light of our own resources but in light of God's resources.

Overcoming inadequacy. When faced with overwhelming tasks or challenges, it's natural to focus on our limitations. However, God calls us to shift our perspective and rely on His limitless resources. This mindset change allows us to step out in faith, even when we feel unqualified or ill-equipped.

God's multiplication. Throughout Scripture and in countless personal testimonies, we see God taking meager offerings and multiplying them for His purposes. He doesn't require our perfection or abundance; He simply asks for our willingness to offer what we have. When we do, He transforms our "not enough" into "more than enough."

Examples of God's multiplication:

• Five loaves and two fish feeding thousands
• David defeating Goliath
• Gideon's army of 300 defeating the Midianites

3. Passion fuels unstoppable faith and action

Passion will enable you to do what you would never do if you didn't have it.

The power of passion. Passion is the driving force that propels believers to overcome obstacles, persevere through challenges, and accomplish seemingly impossible tasks. It's not merely an emotion but a decision to remain committed to God's calling despite circumstances.

Cultivating passion. To maintain and grow our passion for God and His work, we must intentionally nurture our relationship with Him. This involves daily practices such as prayer, Bible study, worship, and actively seeking opportunities to serve others. As we experience God's love and power in our lives, our passion for Him naturally increases.

Ways to cultivate passion:

• Daily time in God's Word
• Regular prayer and worship
• Serving others
• Sharing your faith
• Reflecting on God's faithfulness

4. Trials are opportunities for growth and strengthening

Faith must be tried to its limits before it can grow beyond those limits.

God's training program. Trials and challenges are not interruptions to our spiritual growth but essential components of it. God uses these difficult experiences to reveal our weaknesses, strengthen our faith, and deepen our reliance on Him. By viewing trials as opportunities rather than obstacles, we can embrace them as part of God's refining process.

Developing perseverance. As we face and overcome trials, we develop spiritual muscles of perseverance and endurance. This growth equips us to handle greater responsibilities and challenges in our spiritual journey. Each trial we face and overcome prepares us for the next leg of our race.

Benefits of trials:

• Reveal areas of weakness
• Strengthen faith
• Deepen reliance on God
• Develop perseverance
• Prepare for future challenges

5. Master the art of receiving and releasing batons

Every baton you are given is given so that you might give it to others.

The cycle of receiving and releasing. In the divine relay, we are constantly in a cycle of receiving batons (responsibilities, ministries, or callings) from others and passing them on to the next runner. This process ensures the continuity of God's work across generations and expands its reach.

Letting go gracefully. One of the most challenging aspects of this process is learning to let go of batons we've carried and invested in. This requires humility, trust in God's timing, and a willingness to empower others. By releasing batons well, we multiply our impact and allow God's work to grow beyond our individual capabilities.

Keys to mastering the handoff:

• Be open to receiving new batons
• Invest fully in the batons you carry
• Prepare others to receive the baton
• Release batons with grace and support
• Trust God's timing in the process

6. Focus on Christ within you, not external circumstances

Christ in us is unstoppable!

The mystery revealed. The power to live the Christian life and fulfill our calling comes not from our own strength but from Christ living within us. This indwelling presence of Christ is the source of our transformation and the power behind our impact on the world.

Shifting focus. When we focus on our circumstances or limitations, we can become discouraged or overwhelmed. However, by consciously shifting our focus to Christ within us, we tap into an unstoppable source of strength, wisdom, and power. This perspective change allows us to face any challenge with confidence.

Practical ways to focus on Christ within:

• Meditate on Scriptures about Christ's indwelling
• Practice awareness of God's presence throughout the day
• Pray for Christ's strength in specific situations
• Celebrate small victories as evidence of Christ's work in you

7. Persevere through obstacles and opposition

If we do not declare the greatness of our God working through the ages, then who will?

Expect opposition. As we run our race and carry out God's work, we will inevitably face opposition from the enemy and the world. This opposition can take many forms, including discouragement, fear, failure, and external resistance. Recognizing that these challenges are normal and expected can help us prepare to face them.

Strategies for perseverance. To overcome obstacles and opposition, we must develop strategies that keep us focused on our calling and God's faithfulness. This includes surrounding ourselves with supportive community, regularly reminding ourselves of God's promises, and cultivating a mindset of determination and resilience.

Tactics for persevering:

• Stay connected to a supportive faith community
• Regularly review and declare God's promises
• Learn from failures and setbacks
• Celebrate small victories along the way
• Keep the end goal in mind

8. Cultivate contentment in all situations

Contentment is found in the presence of Jesus, not in the absence of difficulties.

The secret of contentment. True contentment is not dependent on external circumstances but on our internal connection with Christ. By learning to find our satisfaction and peace in Jesus, regardless of our situation, we can maintain our passion and perseverance through any challenge.

Practicing contentment. Cultivating contentment is an ongoing process that requires intentional effort. It involves regularly reminding ourselves of God's faithfulness, choosing gratitude in all circumstances, and shifting our focus from temporary struggles to eternal perspectives. As we practice contentment, we become more resilient and effective in our race.

Steps to cultivate contentment:

• Practice gratitude daily
• Reflect on God's faithfulness in past challenges
• Focus on eternal perspectives rather than temporary circumstances
• Seek God's presence in every situation
• Share your contentment journey with others for mutual encouragement

Last updated: December 20, 2024