Competition
Kris and I got to discuss the subject of competition with some friends of ours. I have thought about the idea of competition quite a lot over the last few months, and the more I think about it, the more I don't like it. PLEASE fill me in on the proper place of competition in the life of a follower of Christ. I have heard that there is a such thing as "healthy competition" but I am not yet convinced.
Philippians 2:3 Says to "do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves." That just doesn't go along with competition.
But what about spurring one another on toward love and good deeds? Don't brothers and sisters in Christ help one another along by letting their light shine bright so that others can see it and glorify God? Sure! But not in rivalry.
Rivalry: the state of being a rival. Rival: one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage (thanks to Merriam-Webster Online).
In the body of Christ, we are certainly not striving to reach something that only one can posess. There is no competitive advantage with God. I don't think He's going to say, "Julie, you were the best servant, so you get this crown, and everyone else, there's a consolation prize..." It's just ridiculous.
So sometimes I have this mentality of wanting to be the best. But why? I think this is the key: The best in whose eyes? It is so clear to me that in these moments it is self-glory in he eyes of men that I seek. This is sinful.
Instead of self-glory, we should all seek God's glory. He gave us unique gifts. He is the one who has predestined all our good works beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10). And He has placed us in our families, among our friends, in our specific circumstances. He has gifted us with our capacities to serve Him. And we will not necessarily serve Him in the same way as someone else. And I need to realize that and instead of feeling inferior, remember that it is not a competition; and realize that if I am seeking self-glory that is idolatrous; and realize that all my good works were prepared by God before time, and I shouldn't fret if I don't get to take part in something.
Oh! That my heart would beat: "To GOD be the glory! To GOD be the glory!" and I can pray for opportunities for good works and trust Him to bring them as He wills.
Philippians 2:3 Says to "do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others as more significant than yourselves." That just doesn't go along with competition.
But what about spurring one another on toward love and good deeds? Don't brothers and sisters in Christ help one another along by letting their light shine bright so that others can see it and glorify God? Sure! But not in rivalry.
Rivalry: the state of being a rival. Rival: one of two or more striving to reach or obtain something that only one can possess b : one striving for competitive advantage (thanks to Merriam-Webster Online).
In the body of Christ, we are certainly not striving to reach something that only one can posess. There is no competitive advantage with God. I don't think He's going to say, "Julie, you were the best servant, so you get this crown, and everyone else, there's a consolation prize..." It's just ridiculous.
So sometimes I have this mentality of wanting to be the best. But why? I think this is the key: The best in whose eyes? It is so clear to me that in these moments it is self-glory in he eyes of men that I seek. This is sinful.
Instead of self-glory, we should all seek God's glory. He gave us unique gifts. He is the one who has predestined all our good works beforehand that we should walk in them (Eph 2:10). And He has placed us in our families, among our friends, in our specific circumstances. He has gifted us with our capacities to serve Him. And we will not necessarily serve Him in the same way as someone else. And I need to realize that and instead of feeling inferior, remember that it is not a competition; and realize that if I am seeking self-glory that is idolatrous; and realize that all my good works were prepared by God before time, and I shouldn't fret if I don't get to take part in something.
Oh! That my heart would beat: "To GOD be the glory! To GOD be the glory!" and I can pray for opportunities for good works and trust Him to bring them as He wills.
posted by Biddie | 9:18 PM
3 Comments:
Julie,
I almost didn't even click on your blog because I was so not expecting you to have written anything since "Weaned Child". :o) But, I was pleasantly surprised to see that you have shared your thoughts with us! And, what a blessing encouragement in such a tempting area. Comparison and competition are a constant struggle. In all the instances you are using as examples I can definitely say that I agree that competition would be sinful.
Are you also thinking about games? Like soccer, cranium, scrabble, risk, etc.? Of course you can sin in those instances, as well, if you are being selfish and complaining and grumbling instead of just enjoying time spent with friends and family over a game. I think that in allowing Nate to do soccer camp this past summer and be under the care and instruction of a Godly man in our church who focuses in on what it means to play soccer for the glory of God was a tremendous blessing. We also use family game time as an opportunity to address heart issues in our children...and, yes, they do come up frequently! :o)
Any thoughts about this?
Good thoughts, Mindy. More to come...
Oh goodness, Julie! You know I am no help at all when it comes to this subject. (But I do like reading your thoughts.)
This is definitely an area where I struggle so much. The older I get the more I realize how foolish it is to do things to please anyone else but God. It is so easy for me to get away from that mindset, though, and back to doing things for prideful or selfish reasons. A constant struggle... A constant struggle...
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