When you have to compete, compete to improve!
Athletes compete for the gold medal. One wins. Business people compete for a customer, and one wins the purchase. It can feel like a win-lose proposition if the only prize one can see in competition is the material reward offered. But if one competes to improve, there is always a reward.
In the long run of life, the most important gain is spiritual mindedness. This is what stays with you long after you leave this earth. Everything material is left behind and becomes as dust. The wise “investor,” sees this ahead of time and builds accordingly.
Every competition is an opportunity to become more spiritually minded, to grow in grace, wisdom, patience, ability, understanding and love. These are rewards that not only stick with you whether you win the gold or not, they make you a better person and they also prepare you to do a better job next time around.
Sure, it’s cool to win the top prize. Who would complain about that! But it doesn’t always happen. Invariably, someone comes along who does the job a bit better or faster and jumps ahead. But we don’t have to feel bad about their success and classify ourselves as a loser. We are not if we gain from the experience and become a better person.
Compete to improve, and always come out a winner. It will bring you the best in the long run.
“All good athletes train hard. They do it for a gold medal that tarnishes and fades. You’re after one that’s gold eternally” I Cor. 9:25, The Message.
All good is of God, and is shared by all. Comparing ourselves with another separates us from God’s oneness. We can enjoy competition win or lose and marvel at the grace, joy, and camaraderie in all who participate. Thanks, Evan
Interesting translation of I Cor.9:25. I would never have thought of it in those terms, but correctly expressed. Thank you Evan.
I love the idea of competing to improve. That is the ultimate goal and achievement! I used this often while teaching middle school students in physical education but there was so much “mental education” and even” spiritual education” going on also in each day. Striving to improve, to encourage each other, to connect with one another in team work and seeing the good in each other all were and are an essential part of our lives. Thanks for the clarity of this message today. Becoming a better person each day, knowing that our source is God’s grace and goodness blesses everyone! Have a great day everyone soaring, growing, & becoming a better person in all aspects!
Not sure which is more challenging: trying to “become better,” or to realize my (our)
present perfection! ;<)
Either way, we gotta "get up and get movin'!"
But Life has made us all capable, and we CAN win the Prize…
Knowledge (recognition) of Life everlasting!
Thanks, Evan.
Thank you, Evan! Soooooo Good and True! Just what is the “Goal” of this “Race” we are “Running”? It’s what You and Paul said…..to become more spiritually minded because that’s all we take with us when we leave this so-called earth plane. A friend sent me a copy of an article by L. Ivimy Gwalter written for the C.S. Journal, February 1965 issue – “The Song of Christian Science”. In it she says: “The real Christian Scientist makes every situation an occasion to demonstrate Christian Science, to prove the allness of good and the nothingness of evil.” That’s the goal of living the spiritual life on earth and is what Jesus taught and demonstrated. Let’s get Running!!
Thanks, Evan, and all who have commented on this very important topic.
I also appreciated the interesting translation of I Cor.9:25.
I, too, thank Evan and all who have commented on this very important topic. Translation of
I Cor. 9:25 is interesting. Does gold tarnish?
Love this reminder: “In the long run of life, the most important gain is spiritual mindedness. This is what stays with you long after you leave this earth.” Thanks, I needed that! (=
Being in sales for 26 years and before interviews with customers, I would acknowledge that I was there to express God’s qualities not to impress the customer. This took all the pressure off me and “wanting ” to “get” the sale. I also needed to listen to God and be sure I was doing His will not my will. Perhaps this customer wasn’t right for me to serve. and I found this to be true if I wasn’t obedient. Once I learned this lesson, my business became successful and more enjoyable.
I am now retired and grateful that I had that indispensable tool.
Thank you, Evan
Being in sales for 26 years and before interviews with customers, I would acknowledge that I was there to express God’s qualities not to impress the customer. This took all the pressure off me and “wanting ” to “get” the sale. I also needed to listen to God and be sure I was doing His will not my will. Perhaps this customer wasn’t right for me to serve. and I found this to be true if I wasn’t obedient. Once I learned this lesson, my business became successful and more enjoyable.
I am now retired and grateful that I had that indispensable tool.
Thank you, Evan