When I was younger than I am now, I used to style off being competitive.
There were those sporty types who had to win everything and made sure others knew about it both while they were playing and when they won. I wasn’t into that. That wasn’t my style. I like winning for sure, but I gave the impression that it wasn’t that big a deal. That’s what I endeavoured to do, anyway.
One or two people picked up, though, that I could be intensely competitive in my own way and enjoy winning like the next pumped up combatant. That would seep out of me when either I won or the team/person I was supporting would win. The pumping fists of victory, the primal yell of success, the big bear hugs of overcoming all of that would slip out of me on occasion before reverting to a pose as if I was indifferent to it all – just to keep my cred in my head.
I do have a problem with elements of being competitive. As with some other elements of the human experience it has really been utilised to bring out some unpleasant aspects of us. The competition that sees other individuals – other human being made in the image of God – as being collateral damage or the target of what we are competing for. It’s sad and essentially dehumanising. If ‘winning’ has to be at the cost of someone else’s welfare and well-being then it’s worth looking at if it’s all worthwhile – and I know that quite a lot of sporting affairs can fall into that category, that’s why I agree with the approach that says it’s important to put things in perspective.
Winning though is a good concept to have in life. There is a fight for life, there is a competition going on, one that’s to be won. It’s won when that student you’ve been helping, finally understands and can confidently apply what they’ve learnt. It’s won when what we agreed on as reasonable work goals are exceeded because of the joy you take in working together and seeing the good it will bring to others. It’s won when you make it through a tough day and you don’t let it overwhelm you to the point of …
It’s won when she successfully sees that new born come through. It’s won when he witnesses her taking her first steps and from there starting at school. It’s won when he comes home to tell you that he’s found someone he’d like to spend the rest of his life with. It’s won when you witness the couple make it to the wedding day in one piece and see how it was worthwhile for the love on display. It’s even won when we gather at the death-bed of a loved one and find strength in sustaining the good memories to help us in the mourning process.
It’s won in the cross. It’s won the empty tomb. It’s won in the Spirit-filled life that allows us to flow and in sharing love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, gentleness, faithfulness and self-control. It’s won in the rejoicing that takes place when someone hears the gospel and repents to believe in Jesus Christ and seek to be baptised and embrace the fullness of the Spirit-filled life. It’s won in relationships on the brink being restored. It’s won in the lives at the edge being redeemed.
I love winning and seeing that kind of victory in Christ – the only winning that really matters because it’s not just about now – it’s about eternity now.
(Photo by Japheth Mast on Unsplash)
For His Name’s Sake
Shalom
C. L. J. Dryden
Life With CD 