Competition

“Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize.” 1 Corinthians 9:24

Competition has been a part of our lives for years. Some of the fiercest competition might have even come from within the family we grew up in. Parents play a part in this and certainly sibling rivalry, but even if we are an only child, we grew up competing against classmates, neighborhood friends and teammates. These days competition seems to have negative connotations. Less emphasis is placed on winning and losing in children’s sports and more emphasis on the experience. None the less, competition will always be a part of our lives and it will continue to be for all time.

A good question to ask ourselves is what is the best way to compete? In competition there are rules and guidelines to follow and an end prize or goal that we aspire for. There is much to glean from the verse above, but one of those things is the way in which we should compete. In Mark 12:30 it says, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” If God is truly our Lord and Savior, than we are told to love him with every part of ourselves. If we aspire to glorify God in competition than we must use every part of ourselves to do so.

As we focus on this verse let us reflect on the ways we are not bringing glory to God. Like a good runner runs with purpose and direction, we are told to live with purpose and direction. Thank God this week for his splendor and never lose sight of the direction and purpose he enriches the lives of believers with.

-Matt