This is what is bad about competition. With God there is no normality, all
are unique and are special and are loved for their uniqueness not for our
similarity. I would agree if we threw parties for losers of competitions
and stressed the advantages of failing such as the lessons failure can
teach. This is not the way competitions are run. How much does success
breed humility, and how much does society pries those who fail even if they
do try again. Their measure is taken when and only if they succeed in the
end. AS I have said, this view is mine and not the view of all. St. Paul
speaks of running the race of faith, but in other passages he makes it clear
it is not he who does the work but Our Lord working within him. If Our Lord
runs the race for and with us we must win because he finished the race
before us on calvery. In fact if we place our complete trust in the work he
has already done for us we shall surely finish the course successfully.
Even then, I don't think St. Paul was speaking of pitting our running the
race against other believers but against the devil, and even then there is
no competition because the devil has already lost the competition with
Christ's sacrifice on calvory.
----- Original Message -----
From: MV <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Monday, January 16, 2006 8:48 AM
Subject: Re: Competition
> I think yes competition can serve as an ungodly temptation of pride, I
> also think it can be a great teacher of humility. We have referenced
> competition from a winning standpoint and the pride that goes with it. But
> what about learning the humility of losing, not being perfect, not being
> the best, realizing that we are all different and that's OK? As well even
> winning, if you really look at it is even a greater teacher of humility
> once past the threshhold of prideful thoughts. Paul spoke of running, and
> it probably was part of their culture then too. I don't know if we, as
> humans, can ever get past competition entirely. We continually, whether we
> care to admit it or not, are measuring ourselves to others and assessing,
> just so we have a sense of what is quote, normal. That is to say within
> limits, maintain social commonalities and levels, or we'd likely
> become non-commutative people, hermits. Competition, like a weapon, can
be
> used destructively or it can be used constructively, dependent upon the
> heart that holds it.
>
> Brad
>
>
>
> At 08:54 AM 1/16/2006 -0700, you wrote:
> >Competition, when not played for money as if it were a job, in my
opinion,
> >can build character. Why? Because, you cannot always win but sometimes
you
> >can and do win. The competitive sports I played in as a kid, track and
> >field events when I could see, and wrestling after going blind, really
did
> >help build character and, in fact, some of the things I learned from my
> >coach are still principles I live by today. I also have watched my
youngest
> >son in Karate since he was 14 years old. He is now 23 years old, 6 foot,
> >and weighs about 250 pounds so he ain't no little boy any more. He keeps
> >his competition in the tournaments in Christian perspective and although
he
> >never graduated from high school, he is one of the hardest workers I have
> >ever seen. He makes a good living, too, in the business He owns. He is
> >also got a big heart when it comes to the Lord and wants God to be number
> >one in his life at all times. Yet, when it comes to sports, he is
> >competitive. sure, he loves to win but losing doesn't stop him. Do you
see
> >a Christian principle there for life? I do. It is easy to get pride
mixed
> >up with accomplishment and the character trait of not giving up when
things
> >don't go your way. The bottom line is, Who is Jesus to you? If He isn't
> >Lord, pride is all you've got and it won't take you to Heaven.
> >
> >Phil.
> >
> >
> >Jesus Is Your Problem Not The Devil. Luke 12:5
> >www.SafePlaceFellowship.com
>
> Brad
>
> When in doubt, reboot. If that fails a good hard boot will suffice...
> like a cowboy boot with a cowboy in it
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