Who Lives Downstream from You?

Recently I saw a bumper sticker that read, "Everybody lives downstream." At first glance I wasn't sure what it meant. An environmentalist concerned about water pollution, perhaps? Whatever the car owner's intent, it's a point worth pondering. All of us do live downstream. Every day we drink from the fountain of someone else's influence, and our own decisions either purify or pollute the stream from which upcoming generations will drink.

It's tempting to think only of our own generation. When messengers from Babylon paid a visit to Judah's King Hezekiah, he proudly showed them everything in his national storehouses: silver, gold, spices, fine oil, armaments, and other treasures. After the envoys left, the prophet Isaiah predicted that the Babylonians eventually would carry off all these treasures. Even some of the king's own descendants would become slaves. Yet curiously, Hezekiah told the prophet, "The word of the Lord you have spoken is good." How could Hezekiah be so positive about such bad news? He thought to himself, "Will there not be peace and security in my lifetime?" (2 Kings 20:11). Hezekiah was relieved because the Babylonian captivity wouldn't occur in his own lifetime. As long as he himself enjoyed peace and security, he didn't seem particularly concerned about the plight of future generations.

We dare not be so shortsighted. The Lord has given Christians a solemn responsibility to pass along our heritage of faith to the next generation of "reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others" (2 Timothy 2:2). In football, it's important not to fumble the handoff. In track, relay racers are careful not to drop the baton. Likewise in the church, we need to make smooth transitions from one phase of the church's life to the next. That's why every Paul needs to pour his life into a Timothy or two. Every Sunday school teacher needs an assistant, every small group leader an apprentice, every worship leader someone to train. Elders need to mentor younger men. God's work must not be hindered by egos or a desire for control. We must train and equip our own replacements, then rejoice in their accomplishments.

Consider the way Moses passed the mantle of leadership to his successor, Joshua. Moses recognized the limits of his own life and service. "I am now a hundred and twenty years old and I am no longer able to lead you," he told the people. But he knew God's work would go on. "The Lord your God himself will cross over ahead of you," he said (Deuteronomy 31:1-5).

Then Moses affirmed the calling and giftedness of Joshua. He did so publicly: "in the presence of all Israel." He encouraged Joshua verbally: "Be strong and courageous." He detailed what Joshua's task would involve: "You must go with this people into the land . . . and you must divide it among them as their inheritance." He reassured Joshua that God's presence and power would be with him: "He will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged" (Deuteronomy 31:7, 8).

Believers of every generation have a sacred duty to pass God's Word along to the next generation of Christian leaders who live downstream from us. As the psalmist put it, "Even when I am old and gray, do not forsake me, O God, till I declare your power to the next generation, your might to all who are to come" (Psalm 71:18).