Wired To Win

Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. Philippians 2:5-7

WE SNUCK OUT in the snowy night to our neighbors’ house across the street, leaving our oldest in charge as the younger two slept. Our neighbors welcomed us with caramel corn, drinks, and laughter. We try to make the best of winters in Ohio—nights inside with warm snacks and even warmer friendships.

We introduced our friends to the traditionally midwestern card game euchre. As they were learning the rules, I explained my favorite part of any and all games: scoring. My neighbor is built the same way. “What is the point of playing if you don’t keep score?” he said. My thoughts exactly.

I can’t remember a time in my life when I was not competitive. I want to win at everything I try. But I have friends who aren’t competitive in the least, which is mind-boggling. What does it mean that you don’t care if you win? How do you do life?

Whether or not we are built to compete, one thing is certain in God’s Kingdom: Competing against our sisters is out of the question. Serving one another, lifting up one another, and emptying ourselves for another is the way of Christ.

I have often felt lost in the Christian world with my spirit of competition. I want to be the best in my field, but what does that mean when I am in ministry? So often my competitive drive seems ungodly. So often I have wanted to shut down that part of how I am made. But God has wired me with specific strengths. And I can’t throw those strengths away.

In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul references training, practicing, and winning like an athlete in God’s Kingdom. He was training to share the Good News to men and women and win them over to Christ. He practices the ways of Christ: forgiving, serving, caring, shepherding, and loving. He talks about how this training and competition is for an imperishable prize.

I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable.

1 Corinthians 9:22-25

Paul’s competitive spirit is focused on things outside of himself. He wants to win others over to Jesus so they may experience the fullness of God’s love and acceptance. He shows us the way to win in the Kingdom of God is to see the spiritual nature in everyone and give these souls the Good News. Our prize? Knowing Christ. The most imperishable gift of all.

May we be women who build up our community of sisters, confess our competitive spirits, and fight for one another, not against. May we compete for the best possible prize: Jesus. This is grace looking amazing on us.

GRACE REFLECTION: How can you take your competitive spirit to the throne of grace today to compete for the prize of knowing Jesus?