The Amazing Race

As Christians, the Hebrews' writer tells us we are running "The Amazing Race" every day.  Just like the reality show, there are challenges that hold you up and detours that cause you to make a choice and potentially throw you off track.  The producers of the hit reality show aren't too far off illustrating the life of a Christian (especially the life of a teenage Christian).

   

The 4 churches in the south of Cebu (Talisay, Minglanilla, Naga, and Toledo) gather every month for the youth to share in food, fellowship, and devotion.  It’s an event that is an important tradition for the young people of these churches.  On the first Sunday in November we had almost 60 young people excited about being together.  This ReCharge was centered on the race we as Christian's run every day.  We could not think of a better way to illustrate this than for the teens to participate in "The Amazing Race - ReCharge Edition".  When I think of "The Amazing Race", the first thought comes to mind are teams jet setting across the globe experiencing challenges and detours.  The ReCharge Edition was no different.  The teams didn't jet set across the world or take every mode of transportation possible, but the teens did run all over Naga completing tasks and detours.

   

Each pit stop had a Bible theme (and hopefully taught the teens a lesson).  The first pit stop was entitled "Order Up".  Here the teens were given the books of the New Testament and were asked to put them in order without the use a Bible.  I was amazed at how quickly teams were able to successfully complete the task.  It was obvious these teens had spent time in the word.  You can't have a relationship with our Heavenly Father if you aren't studying His word.  I was so excited to see these young people building their faith through His word.

  

The second pit stop was entitled "Jesus the Carpenter".  Here teams were given a small set of Lego’s.  They had to use the step by step instructions to build the car or helicopter.  Teams realized the better they worked together the more successful they would be.  They needed each team member’s help and support in order to complete the task.  This is very similar to our Christian walk.  We need our fellow Christians to help and support us along the "race".  Jesus was no different.  He had his disciples with him every step of the journey.

The third pit stop was entitled "Say What".  Here teams were given a scripture written in code.  They had to work together to decode it.  Of course the scripture was the theme of the day.  Hebrews 12:1 "Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

 

The final pits stop was a Detour.  Here teams had to make a choice between "Run or Roll".  If they chose "Run" the team would be tied together 3 legged race style to race from one point to another.  If they chose "Roll" the team would select 2 players to wheel barrow from one point to another.  Of course one option would be much more difficult than another.  This is very similar to life.  Some choices we make are more difficult.

The teams raced all over Naga learning lessons about the Christian walk while having fun.  Everyone wanted to win and when it was over everyone was ready to race again.  I'm sure this won't be the last "Amazing Race - ReCharge Edition" the south of Cebu experiences.