I rarely see myself as a traditionally competitive person. I’m not the girl on the basketball court ready to win the game no matter the cost. In fact, If you know me, you probably expect me to softly decline any invitation to play a sport that involves big teams and a ball. I could write a whole post on why, but what I want to mention here is that a characteristic of most competitive games is the fierceness in which the players perform to reach the goal.
Though I’ve never pictured myself as a star NBA player, I’ve recently noticed that I do carry similar qualities of competitiveness, I just never noticed HOW. Personally, competitiveness shows its face in my relationships. It appears when a friend wins an award, or my sibling receives more attention than me. I feel the need to make sure I’m doing enough that’s earning me applause from others too, and spiritually speaking, I compete for positions that will make me look more “holy.”
Sometimes it feels like this idea of competition in my faith comes straight from the Enemy’s heart, Satan, who seeks to kill and destroy. Certain people can make me feel threatened, and as a result, I mistake who the real enemy is. I compete against the very people who are there for my growth, and the people I am called to serve. I easily doubt others’ good intentions by assuming they don’t actually care what’s best for me. What am I accomplishing as I push and elbow my way to achieving a slice of recognition, or a title of “success?”
So I ask myself: Can I use this competitive spirit by fighting the real Enemy? How can I compete WITH my brothers and sisters instead of AGAINST them? A quality I tend to overlook in a competitive athlete is their DEDICATION. Determination, sweat, and maybe even tears gave them a victory after a hard fought game. In Basketball, that competitive edge and focused mind is actually a vital and helpful quality!
Lord, help me to turn what the Enemy means for evil and let it be used for GOOD. If I am to utilize competitive spirit, then let the glory be for YOU. Let me not forget what you value!