Don't Sweat the Competition

There’s something to be said about COMPETITION.

P.E. was my favorite subject in elementary school. I was a slightly hyperactive child and P.E. was the only class (outside of recess) that gave me an opportunity to spend my energy. I wasn’t what you’d call a tall child which unfortunately carried over into my adult years, but I was athletic and I was competitive. C-O-M-P-E-T-I-T-I-V-E. I didn’t just WANT to be the best; I was GOING to be the best.

I was going to run faster.
I was going to run further.
I was going to throw faster.
I was going to throw further.
I was going to jump higher.
I was going to jump further.
I wasn’t going to miss.
I wasn’t going to lose.

If there was even a remote chance that you might be better I’d try again and again and again until I KNEW I was going to beat you.

Don’t sweat the competition.

There’s nothing wrong with BEING the best or TRYING TO be the best. Don’t believe me? Read the following story:

So they both ran together, and the other disciple outran Peter and came to the tomb first. And he, stooping down and looking in, saw the linen cloths lying there; yet he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb; and he saw the linen cloths lying there, and the handkerchief that had been around His head, not lying with the linen cloths, but folded together in a place by itself.
John 20:4-7 NKJV

Read those first 5 words again, “So they both ran TOGETHER.” We’re better TOGETHER. We push one another. We drive one another. We inspire and motivate one another. We want to climb higher and go further and reach the next level simply because someone else is about to get there, is about to catch up to us, or is right beside us.

Don’t sweat the competition.

Peter and John were sprinting to the tomb. They had just received news that the body of Jesus was missing and they weren’t having that! John doesn’t outright say they were racing, but they did. Peter takes off. He gets a head start. He’s like 1… 2… and John’s waiting to hear the 3, but Peter’s already gone. What does it say happens next? John OUTRAN Peter and came to the tomb FIRST.

Don’t sweat the competition.

A little competition never hurt nobody (grammatically incorrect, but I like how it sounds). A little competition pushes us to reach the NEXT LEVEL. Without competition we’ll settle for what we’ve always had and always done and NEVER try to improve or get better. Don’t SWEAT the competition, EMBRACE it. And while you’re at it, cheer for whoever you’re running against because they’re just tryin’ to get better too!

Reflect:

• How do you respond to competition? Do you settle for just finishing or do you strive for #1?
• Can you recall times in your life when a little competition made you BETTER?
• Have you settled for less simply because you didn’t want to try?
• Do you believe you CAN and WILL accomplish great things because God is WITH you and working THROUGH you?