Confident Living Competitive World

Q0730 Competition pp.
qxp 7/23/08 3:44 PM Page 1
CONFIDENT
LIVING IN A
COMPETITIVE
WORLD
CONTENTS
B
ertrand Russell, the late
British philosopher,
Competition Is author, and atheist, wrote,
Everywhere. . . . . . . . . . . 2 “Life is nothing but a competition
Defining Competition. . . 4 to be the criminal rather than
the victim.” Businessman David
The Dangers Of
Competition . . . . . . . . . . 8 Sarnoff said, “Competition brings
out the best in products and the
The Value And Benefits
Of Competition . . . . . . 13 worst in people.” Yet early 19th-
century American statesman
Competition
At Its Best. . . . . . . . . . . 16 Henry Clay adds, “Of all human
powers operating on the affairs
How To Compete
With Confidence . . . . . 18 of mankind, none is greater than
that of competition.”
Principles Of The
Ultimate Competitor . . 27 Because it is self-evident
that there is at least a measure
The Ultimate Victory . . 31
of truth to such quotes, we’ve
asked RBC author Dave Branon
to take a realistic look at whether
or not followers of Christ can be
fierce competitors while retaining
their honor in the process.
Mart De Haan
Managing Editor: David Sper Cover Photo: Getty Images
Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations are from the New King James Version.
Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission.All rights reserved.
© 2008 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, Michigan Printed in USA
Q0730 Competition pp.qxp 7/23/08 3:44 PM Page 2
COMPETITION IS humorous way the intense

EVERYWHERE competition between two
giants of the computer
T
he television screen world: Microsoft and Apple.
is blank except for While their boardrooms
two figures. One is a might reverberate with
hip young person dressed ferocious efforts to defeat
casually and exuding quiet, each other, the Mac-
unaffected confidence. The sponsored ads suggest
other is a somewhat geeky a more friendly rivalry.
man, a little older, dressed The ads are funny,
in a suit and looking like but the competition behind
an unsuccessful door-to- them is extremely serious
door salesman. The business. The struggle for
first represents the limited resources is an
Mac computer while the inescapable, serious reality
second stands for everything in the 21st century.
related to PCs (all personal On the international
computers that are not built scene, it’s becoming more
by Apple Macintosh). and more clear that nations
The dialogue usually must compete with each
begins with, “Hi, I’m a Mac. other for commodities such
And he’s a PC.” The two as oil and food. Competition
seem slightly bemused with for ideas, borders, and ways
each other in these popular, of life has always led to
entertaining commercials as country vs. country conflict,
their conversations touch often leading to battlefield
on various computer-related clashes. But as the globe’s
topics. The genius of the resources dwindle,
Mac vs. PC ad series is that competition takes on
it portrays in a disarming, a new dimension.
2
© 2008 RBC Ministries
On the national scene, softball team and covet the

political competition pits first-place trophy. We get up
rivals against each other as a foursome for golf and battle
they run for office—each for bragging rights. Our kids
trying to convey traits that start early playing T-ball or
will convince voters to youth soccer—and we urge
choose them. Elections are them to continue to compete
serious, deeply personal their way through life.
examples of competition. Even for fans who cheer
for sports teams to whom
It’s nearly they have no connection
other than geography,
impossible to competition sometimes turns
ignore competition from friendly to fierce. Case
in daily life. in point: The New York
Yankees fan who used her
On the domestic scene— car to run down and kill a
in real-life situations where Boston Red Sox fan in 2008
we all live—competition over their disparate loyalties.
takes its place in various Indeed, it’s nearly
elements of living. We impossible to ignore
compete for jobs. Students competition in daily life.
compete for grades and Are we ready for it? Are
placement at higher levels of we prepared for the growing
education. The stores where levels of competition in
we shop compete for our today’s society? Have we
dollars. People compete with spent any contemplative
each other for attention, time exploring its value,
affection, and love. advantages, disadvantages,
In our recreation, we and controversies? Maybe
compete. We play on a it’s time to think more about
3
what it takes to live with soon become known as

honor and with confidence the Space Race.
in a competitive world. The launch of that
184-pound satellite, with
DEFINING its mysterious beeping
sound that could be heard
COMPETITION by Americans via shortwave
O
n October 4, 1957, radios as the satellite
an event took place passed over their country,
that thrust two huge started an intense
groups of people into direct competition in the US.
competition. These two Americans feared that
nations were already at Russia had a technological
odds with each other on advantage and could
matters of governance and possibly even spy on them
philosophy. But after the from overhead. Perhaps,
event in question took it was thought, they could
place, the two countries launch weapons that
were immediately forced would reach the previously
into a new, all-out unreachable shores of the
competitive struggle. continental US.
On that day more than Once the US realized
50 years ago, the USSR and that it was trailing the feared
the United States became USSR technologically, the
high-flying competitors race began for the US to
because the USSR launched catch up and pass the
Sputnik, the first artificial USSR in the Space Race.
satellite, into outer space— The story of Sputnik
startling officials in the US illustrates various aspects
into flinging themselves of competition. First, it
headlong into what would reveals that in competition
4
it usually takes two rivals. Space Race, international

Before Sputnik, officials strategic advantage.
who were working on the Competition doesn’t
US space program (this always have to involve
was pre-NASA) were two opposing sides or
not convinced that they antagonists. Sometimes,
should take seriously the competition is more
Soviets’ satellite-building remote, with no head-to-
capabilities. In competitive head rivalry. Let’s say you
parlance, the USSR was are a salesperson and you
underrated. That led to want to increase your
some lethargy in the US numbers. You could,
effort. But as soon as the in effect, compete with
Russians announced their yourself by seeking to
successful mission—and raise those numbers. Or
as soon as the American maybe each time you play
people felt threatened by golf, you seek to improve
this activity of a communist your score. Or you are a
nation—the country sprang recreational runner who
into action. The Sputnik competes against your
launch created a competitive stopwatch—attempting
situation that had not been to improve your time. You
perceived before. are competing without
In most forms of facing a competitor. That
competition, two parties seemed to be what the
oppose each other with the Soviets were doing before
goal of gaining something the US jumped into the fray.
at the end, whether it’s a Another characteristic
trophy in sports, customers of competitive situations is
and money in business, an that they provide focus—a
office in politics, or as in the goal. This can result in a
5
concentration of effort that of landing a man on the

may not be needed in a moon and returning him
noncompetitive scenario. safely to the earth.”
Before Sputnik, the US had A third component of
some individuals working competition is that it provides
on space rocketry, but there an incentive for improvement.
was also much dissension The US could no longer be
among the military branches satisfied with the status quo
as to what would be the —not just in regard to the
most effective applications formation of NASA but
of rocket science. But after also in relation to its entire
the Soviets startled the US citizenry. Across America,
into action, the country schools were asked to
needed a central rallying increase their expertise in
organization that could teaching math and science,
concentrate on what for it was feared that the
had become the goal: launch of Sputnik had
Surpass the USSR in shown that the country
space technology. Thus, might have fallen behind the
the National Aeronautics Soviets in education as well.
and Space Administration No one could have
(NASA) centralized all predicted the outcome
of the US efforts. And later, of this competition—and
President John F. Kennedy no one could have ever
synthesized all smaller dreamed what would result
goals into one huge one. from two countries taking
On May 25, 1961, he boldly each other on in this way.
proclaimed: “I believe that While it’s often thought
this nation should commit that the arrival of a manned
itself to achieving the goal, American spaceship on the
before this decade is out, surface of the moon was the
6
indicator of success in this technology, GPS systems,

rivalry, much more than freeze-dried coffee, and, of
that came from the race. course, Tang. Competition
In the end, for instance, nearly always results in
the competition ultimately unintended consequences.
resulted in an ironic
outcome: An American
and a Russian shaking
Competition
hands in outer space in nearly always
1975 as the competition results in
ended in cooperation.
Through the years,
unintended
space competition has consequences.
also resulted in a long
list of developments and Competition, then, can
discoveries that have be seen as a struggle for
affected mankind in ways limited resources or for a
that surpass the value of goal, which calls for effort
standing on lunar soil. and self-improvement.
Almost inadvertently, By itself, competition is
the great competition led neither good nor bad but
to such things as these: can result in great advantage
The rush to replace or harm, depending on the
vacuum tubes with motives and methods that
integrated circuits (which are used to try to reach
helped ignite the computer the desired goal.
boom), a computer- Because such competition
connection scheme called has consequences, both
ARPANET (now known sought and unintended, our
as the Internet), satellite involvement in it deserves
communication, ultrasound careful consideration.
7
THE DANGERS people are getting incredibly

OF COMPETITION rich. For instance, the CEO
of one major clothing
C
ompetitive desires, company made $26 million
if left unchecked, in 2007, which means that
can lead to roaring his pay stub would have
flames of trouble. This something like $1,000,000
shouldn’t preclude our written in the “wages
involvement in competition, earned” column every 2
but it can signal to us the weeks. We might say that
importance of thoughtfully this person is getting paid
weighing our motives for extravagantly because his
trying to win at the expense company is beating the
of others or even at great pants off its competitors.
cost to ourselves. Bringing up the fact that
Examining a sampling one person can make that
of these dangers can help much money reminds us
us to avoid the negative of one of the dangers of
aspects of competition. competition in a capitalistic
society: greed. Of course, we
THE GREED don’t know what’s in the
FACTOR heart of the corporate lion
Everybody enjoys getting who makes as much money
a paycheck—a monetary in one year as a minimum-
reward for the time, effort, wage worker would have to
skill, and dedication work for 4,000 years to earn,
poured into a job. It’s easy but we do know that greed
to imagine that some people does rear its head in the
must enjoy that paycheck competitive world.
more than others—for in When we turn to the
our competitive world, some competitive arena of sports,
8
we can see how greed and be true. But we don’t have

competition get tangled up to observe many contract
in each other. One major- discussions between teams
league pitcher spelled out and player agents to realize
how the continual search for that “the excessive desire for
bigger salaries can change a money,” as most standard
person’s perspective about dictionaries define greed, is
contract negotiations when indeed a part of professional
he said, “I am the most loyal sports competition.
player money can buy.” Using competition to get
A magazine that catered more and more of what we
to professional athletes used already have enough of isn’t
the greed of rich athletes just about money. It may
as a drawing card. In one also have to do with gaining
edition, the magazine ran an advantages over others in
article about watches that the corporate world (bigger
athletes could buy. Two of offices, longer vacations,
the timepieces were priced better perks). And even
at $1 million each—one had in the athletic world, we
435 diamonds embedded on can become greedy about
the watch. The magazine playing time, attention from
also featured resort locations coaches, and the adulation
the athletes might want to of those who are observing
visit. The going price to stay our competition.
at some of the swank, exotic
locales was more than THE TEMPTATION
$25,000 a night. TO BREAK THE
Many rich athletes RULES
would protest that they It’s certainly no secret that
are not being motivated the landscape of competition
by greed—and that may in recent history is littered
9
with the remnants of on other teams, presumably

competitors whose to pick up an unfair edge
reputations were damaged over other coaches.
by a propensity to play In each situation
outside the rules. where competitors got out
In the world of business, of line, they violated either
for example, we have seen well-known league rules or
wealthy captains of industry clearly documented laws.
brought down from the These people were involved
boardroom to the prison in competition, but it was
cell because of criminal not competition that led
activity. Trying to stay to their misconduct or to
ahead of the competition, the charges against them.
they blurred the line of Instead of competing
legality (perhaps because legitimately, they chose
of the aforementioned greed) to try to circumvent
and ended up cheating to accepted standards of
gain an advantage. conduct. It was their
In the world of sports, error in judgment, not the
we’ve endured ongoing circumstance they were in,
reports of athletes who used that led to the difficulty.
substances that gave their Cheating is so prevalent
bodies a boost over non- in some competitive areas
substance-using athletes. that a maxim among players
They cheated to gain an in one sport is this: “If
unfair athletic advantage you’re not cheating, you’re
over clean-playing not trying.” This puts an
opponents. In addition, added burden on those
we’ve watched as a famous who wish to compete
NFL coach paid a small by the rules.
fortune in fines for spying The rewards of
10
competition are so great significant on the altar of

that people are sometimes the expedient. “During my
tempted to bend those rules daughter’s senior year in
to gain an unfair advantage.
THE POTENTIAL The inner drive

FOR CONFUSED to compete
PRIORITIES
Udo Middelmann of
(either actually or
the Francis A. Schaeffer vicariously) fosters
Foundation says, “Sports within many men
has become for many the
central fascination of their
and women a
lives.” compelling need
Competitive efforts to succeed, even
have a tendency to do this
to people. The inner drive to
at the cost of time
compete (either actually or with significant
vicariously) fosters within people, of dignity
many men and women a
compelling need to succeed,
in interacting with
even at the cost of time with others, and in the
significant people, of dignity willingness to
in interacting with others,
and in the willingness to
engage in other,
engage in other, more more important,
important, activities. activities.
Businessman Greg
Bourgond explains how
a person in competition high school,” he wrote, “she
can sacrifice the vital and repeatedly asked if I could
11
attend one of her school’s people at board meetings—

basketball games. She was both professional and
a varsity cheerleader. At ecclesiastical—giving away
the time, I was a general a piece of their mind they
manager of a business. I could ill afford to give
remember giving perfectly up, and doing so with
legitimate and rational embarrassing rancor
reasons why it was because they disagreed
impossible to be there. To about a competing idea
this day, I cannot remember on the table.
any of those reasons. What Then too, being
I remember is I wasn’t there involved in competition
for my daughter. My primary can sometimes rob us of
focus was on my business involvement in a better
sphere of influence.” activity. While there is
Also, competition can nothing wrong with fantasy
make fools out of us when baseball, for instance, a man
we give too much credence who spends several hours
to our own opinion. We’ve a day with this instead of
all watched in dismay as taking care of his family or
men in nice suits behaved paying the bills or spending
like irate children because time in more valuable
a referee made a call with pursuits has a priority
which they disagreed. We’ve deficit. The vicarious
seen the YouTube videos enjoyment of competition
of athletes, coaches, and by fans has stolen many
managers as they rant, rave, hours of precious time
and reveal their inner anger from countless families.
because something didn’t Competition can overtake
go their way in a sporting our minds like a bad drug if
event. We’ve heard tales of we let it, rearranging our
12
otherwise well-ordered world awe as we learned the

and causing our priorities to history of competitors
rage out of control. who have overcome great
disadvantage and risen to
THE VALUE AND success from the depths
of their previous failures!
BENEFITS OF Josh Hamilton, a major-
COMPETITION league baseball outfielder,
C
ompetition, like life, could be a poster boy for
is full of paradoxes. this. Hamilton was the first
While there are amateur player drafted
dangers that could make in 1999—selected by the
us think we should throw Tampa Bay Rays as the
away the spreadsheets and best prospect in the country.
box scores and get out Hamilton proceeded to do
of competition for fear of everything he could to throw
corrupting ourselves, we his life away. He drank too
can also observe that much. He took drugs. He
involvement in the arena became addicted to both
of competition can have and to a lifestyle that was
positive outcomes. Here’s a killing him. Baseball was the
look at a few good results of furthest thing from his mind
head-to-head battles in life. as he went from drug hit to
alcohol binge to another
COMPETITION dead-end day. But some
INSPIRES people believed in him
Some of the most anyway. His wife. His
inspirational human-interest grandmother. A coach.
stories come directly from Through their prayers and
competitive situations. How their influence, Hamilton
many times have we sat in turned his life over to God.
13
Eventually, everything who compete well must

turned around for him. always find detours around
In 2007, he got another obstacles—either internal or
chance at major-league external—thus encouraging
baseball. Clean, sober, and and inspiring the rest of us
spiritually strong, he hit 19 to discover ways around our
home runs for the Cincinnati own personal roadblocks.
Reds that season.
The inspirational value COMPETITION
of the stories of competition TEACHES
can warm our hearts and TEAMWORK
bring hope to a beleaguered Why would a corporation
world. Dave Thomas rises pay good money to take its
from nothing to create an valued employees away
international food chain from the office for a retreat
called Wendy’s. Young just so they can bake a
baseball player Jim Abbott cake together, or go on a
overcomes having just one scavenger hunt, or face
hand to pitch in the majors. each other in physical
A basketball player named competition? Why do
Muggsy Bogues makes a companies participate
career of the NBA although in these team-building
he is just 5' 3" tall. A college activities? They do this
kid named Mark Zuckerberg because in the competitive
starts a Web site named world, the individuals (as
Facebook, and in just a few important and talented as
years he’s a billionaire. they are) get more done
The value of the success when working as a team.
achieved by competitors In most settings,
reaches beyond their own competition forces people to
personal triumphs. Those blend their talents and skills
14
with the talents and skills with [us] learns lifetime

of others to get a job done. skills such as teamwork.”
To succeed, competitors Teamwork is a valuable
cannot Lone Ranger their and admirable outgrowth of
way through the challenges competition done well. It is
they face. They must create guided by wise leadership—
teams that blend individual those who know that more
talent to create success. is done by people acting as
One of the most a unit than by a number of
successful food franchises of people acting individually.
all time—one that has more Teamwork is often an
than 30,000 restaurants outgrowth of competition.
worldwide—understands
competition. In operation COMPETITION
for more than 50 years, this DEVELOPS
company has seen hundreds INDIVIDUAL
of competitors come and go. POTENTIAL
But none have been able Why do parents allow their
to emulate its success. A children to be subjected to
close look at this company’s the challenges of playing
method of operation reveals high school sports? After all,
that at the top of its list participating in a sport is
of employee qualities— not an easy task. It includes
whether those workers physical training that often
are flipping burgers or drives young people to
running things at corporate exhaustion. Then the season
headquarters—is this word: starts and it gets tougher.
Teamwork. The chief Also, it’s draining mentally
executive officer of this as the student-athletes are
fast-food giant says, “Every asked to learn complicated
person who gets [his] start plays and drills, to think and
15
react quickly to changing coaching. The mental

situations, and to begin to toughness demanded by my
develop a mind bent on coach pushed me away from
success. And finally, there a natural tendency to avoid
are often psychological difficult situations. Being
challenges faced by these physically fit in college has
young kids as they learn encouraged me to attempt
to understand how a coach to stay that way in the years
thinks, try to get along with since. And being given the
teammates, and work to chance to succeed on the
deal with the ups and downs court in front of my peers
of success and failure. helped push me out of
Parents allow their a natural shyness and
children to do this reticence. These many
because with proper years later, it’s clear to me
and careful coaching, the that the intense competition
competitive world provides a of college basketball pushed
sophisticated opportunity for me and sharpened me as a
sharpening mental, physical, person God could use.
and psychological skills.
Sports competition at the
college level was a major
COMPETITION
contributing factor to my AT ITS BEST
O
own success later in life. ne well-known
Being part of a college competition-based
basketball team for 4 years organization uses
helped me overcome a the following statements as
number of deficiencies— its guiding principles. The
spurring me on and giving group “assists in developing
me confidence for a future the qualities of citizenship,
career in both teaching and discipline, teamwork, and
16
physical well-being.” Its the subject of competition

pledge further states: “I trust could be connected with
in God, I love my country, things considered religious.
and I will respect its laws. Many have sensed that
I will play fair and strive to elements of fair play and
win, but win or lose I will goodness are honored when
do my best.” people compete according
It would be hard to find to accepted standards and
someone who could not rules, yet they may not have
embrace a set of goals as seen the underlying reason
valuable as those created for this—a reason that
by this well-respected relates to a higher set of
institution. Citizenship. values and principles for
Discipline. Teamwork. God. living.
Love of country. Fair play. If that’s the case, there
Doing one’s best. is reason to consider the
This is the mission possibility that the goodness
statement for Little League and fairness that most often
Baseball. Its expression of prevails in competition
the importance of admirable comes from an innate
qualities points out that knowledge borne in all
often in competition the high people—and that the times
call for excellence from a when competitors fall into
secular institution is not too cheating or inhumanity
different from what we might result from a rejection of
consider to be a lofty call for what God has instilled in
top-quality competition from them.
a Christian perspective. Consider, for instance,
This can be an important a quote from the Bible that
observation for those who speaks of the ability all
have never considered how people have to see the
17
difference between right principles back to their

and wrong. In Romans origin, any competitor,
2:15, the apostle Paul wrote religious or not, can find
that people “show that the practical, helpful guidance
requirements of the law are from the wisdom of the
written on their hearts” (NIV). Bible. Its pages offer not
Bible commentator William only inspiring insights that
Hendricksen explains it like encourage fair play but also
this: “[God] equipped them reasons to rely on a source
with a sense of right and of unlimited help for living
wrong.” Hendricksen further with honor in an inherently
explains that a person will competitive world.
“spontaneously . . . do
certain things required by HOW TO
God’s law. For example, he is
kind to his wife and children,
COMPETE WITH
has a heart for the poor, and CONFIDENCE
O
promotes honesty.” And, we nce it becomes
could add, he has a sense of clear that standards
fairness and integrity in of fair competition
competition. represent more than just
That’s why it’s not made-up rules—that they
a big step to go from a represent guidelines rooted
moral, reasonable view in the wisdom and character
of competition (such as of our Creator—competitors
the Little League mission can begin to understand
statement suggests) to one what it means to compete
that is solidly supported with confidence. Together
by principles honored and we can discover that
illustrated by the Bible. it’s possible to live in a
By tracking timeless competitive world without
18
believing that our well-being competition is football coach

depends on whether we win Tony Dungy, who led the
or lose any given contract, Indianapolis Colts to victory
argument, or game. in the 2007 Super Bowl.
Throughout his coaching
career in the National
It’s possible Football League, Dungy
to live in a has recognized his role as
competitive world a Christian immersed in the
high-pressure world of pro
without believing football. Therefore, through
that our well-being his controlled demeanor
depends on as a coach and his calm
words of faithfulness, he has
whether we win shown a skeptical, watching
or lose any given world that it’s not just okay,
contract, argument, but in many ways preferred,
to be a person of faith in
or game. the midst of an intensely
competitive atmosphere.
When our focus is Dungy, in discussing his
not just on the struggle for best-selling book Quiet
limited resources, but on our Strength, said this: “No
confidence in the unlimited matter where the Lord
ability of God to care for us, places you, you can have an
we can compete not only for impact on that community.”
our own benefit but for the That impact happens
good of others as well. when a person competes in
One man who knows such a way as to show that
what it means to live with it’s possible to give your best
honor in the middle of fierce effort to win without making
19
a god out of the game or modern Olympic Creed that

the competition. “The most important thing
Even though Dungy . . . is not winning but taking
is as imperfect as any of us, part [in the Games].”
he is one of many who has This is where we need to
determined not to sacrifice think carefully about how
character on the altar of important it is to us and
temporary success. By others to do our best to win,
showing a faith that while retaining our good
transcends the playing field, will, honor, and confidence,
Dungy has been able to regardless of the outcome.
draw upon a strength that People of faith do not
honors the game while honor themselves, their
pointing much higher. competitors, or their God
if they don’t do whatever
COMPETE they can to win at the
WITH HONOR games and business of
Legendary NFL coach life. While winning isn’t
Vince Lombardi is often everything, there’s no
quoted as saying, “Winning honor in throwing a game
isn’t everything, it’s the only or deliberately losing a sale.
thing.” Whether that’s what Run To Win. In
he meant is sometimes 1 Corinthians 9:24, Paul
debated. But the quote is used an image that would
often used as a counterpoint have been familiar to his
to the idea that what counts readers—an image right out
is not whether we win or of a contemporary Olympic-
lose but how we play like sporting event known as
the game. The idea that the Isthmian Games. With
“winning is everything” such a competitive setting in
even runs counter to the mind, Paul wrote about what
20
it takes to “run in such a way their goal of God’s approval.

as to get the prize” (v.24 NIV). It’s understood that in a
When the athletes of fair race no one can ensure
the Isthmian Games trained victory, but victory won’t go
diligently to win their races, to one who is lazy, takes
they knew two things: First, victory for granted, or makes
only one person could get excuses instead of an all-out
first prize; and second, the effort to win. That’s as true
prize the athlete would of running the great race of
receive would eventually faith as it is of running for
decay into worthlessness. an Olympic medal, a job,
Against that backdrop, or an educational degree.
Paul talked about how Compete With
important it is to run the Strength. Followers
race of life with the kind of of Christ—and especially
faith that will eventually win Christian competitors—have
a prize that is timeless. Of often been slapped with the
the Isthmian competitors criticism that they are too
he wrote, “They do it to soft, too nice to be winners.
obtain a perishable crown, One answer to that
but we for an imperishable accusation would be
[eternal reward]” (v.25). to enumerate the many
What’s common to Christians who have
Paul’s illustration and his succeeded at their
spiritual application is the competitive endeavors
effort to win. He was urging while maintaining their good
his readers to compete name and reputation in the
diligently—straining process. Truett Cathy in the
against all competitors and fast-food industry (Chick-fil-
anything else that would A). Mary Lou Retton in the
keep them from reaching Olympics. Steve Largent in
21
politics. Ken Wales in film toward fearfulness.” And

and TV production. Johnny he could do so because the
Hart in cartooning. The Spirit of God, who indwells
list goes on and on of men each believer, is a source
and women of faith who of power, love, and self-
stood their ground in their discipline.
competitive field and were Paul’s words of
not limited by a supposed encouragement have
weakness that some application far beyond
attribute to Christians. Timothy. What he wrote
To a young man named reminds us that God
Timothy, the apostle Paul stands ready to give
wrote, “God has not given anyone who trusts Him
us a spirit of fear, but of a spirit of courage.
power and of love and of In a letter to the
a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). Philippians, Paul wrote,
Timothy apparently suffered “I can do all things through
from occasional bouts of Christ who strengthens me”
anxiety. In 1 Corinthians, (4:13). His point was not
Paul hinted as much to that God will help His
the people in the church in people do whatever they
Corinth when he said, “If want to do. He was saying
Timothy comes, see that he that in times of prosperity,
may be with you without as well as in times of
fear” (16:10). In the work poverty, he had learned to
God called Timothy to do, be content with whatever
then, Paul was reminding God was doing in and
him in 2 Timothy that he through him.
had to, as commentator One implication for us is
Hendricksen paraphrases it, that whether we win or lose,
“fight that tendency of yours we can find our life and
22
strength in God rather made a god out of

than in the win-loss column. winning, they have
From the beginning of time a hard time bringing
until now, those who live to themselves to accept
rely on and honor their God defeat with grace. They find
in the midst of a competitive excuses for losing, blame
world can find grace and other people, pout about the
hope in their ever-changing loss, and complain that it
circumstances. wasn’t fair. Such competitors
often disappoint their fans
and detract from the
Those who live competition. But we can
to rely on and also empathize with them
honor their God and recognize their pain.
After all, we’ve all done our
in the midst of a share of losing.
competitive world The bigger problem is
can find grace and with those of us who have
not learned to win with
hope in their grace. If that’s our problem,
ever-changing in all likelihood we have
circumstances. not seen our opportunity to
compete as a gift from God
but as a measure of our
BE A GOOD WINNER own skill and effort. The
Occasionally in the result is that we disappoint
world of competition, we others and detract from the
encounter those who think competition by accepting
that their life, happiness, victory with arrogance.
and significance depend on It’s far better to be
winning. Because they have able to say with Paul,
23
“I have learned to be that was how she competed,

content whatever the which contrasts greatly with
circumstances. I know the pride and hostility that
what it is to be in need, so often marks competition.
and I know what it is to According to Rudyard
have plenty. I have learned Kipling in his famous poem
the secret of being content “If,” a humble, gentle winner
in any and every situation” can face “triumph and
(Phil. 4:11-12 NIV). disaster and treat those two
Such contentment can impostors just the same.”
grace our joy in victory and And further, a winner with
soften our disappointment the right attitude will mirror
in defeat. It’s rooted in the these words of Kipling later
confidence that what really in the poem: “If you can talk
counts is recognizing that with crowds and keep your
every good thing we have virtue, or walk with kings—
and experience comes to us nor lose the common
as a gift from God. touch.” Win or lose,
Compete With the good winner stays the
Humility. When my same—living with Christlike
daughter’s high school humility, patience, and love.
wanted to put a plaque Compete With
near the Melissa Branon Integrity. Those who
Memorial Softball Field in know that life is not found
2003 to honor her memory, in winning nor lost in losing
we suggested that it contain are in a good position to
this verse: “Be completely live with the kind of integrity
humble and gentle; be that reflects their confidence
patient, bearing with one in God.
another in love” (Eph. 4:2 By contrast, some of the
NIV). As a varsity athlete, biggest losers over the last
24
couple of decades have the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5).

been those who tried to put Honoring the rules
winning above honor and of fair play is central to
fair play. Examples come healthy competition. That’s
from the world of sports why steroids in sports are
(Olympians who had to give such a big deal. That’s why
up their medals after it was recruiting violations are
discovered they used exposed and penalized.
steroids to win the tainted That’s why an unfair
medal), business (men and advantage through insider
women who used illegal trading on Wall Street is
business practices to punishable with prison time.
become immensely wealthy, That’s why voter fraud in
only to see their millions politics is so diligently
disappear when convicted of opposed.
wrongdoing), and, sadly, the There’s a price to be
church (leaders who rose to paid for not having the
heights of respect among the confidence that life is found
faith-based community, only in something other than in
to be brought down by the the championships and
same kind of temptations Super Bowls of our lives.
that disqualify competitors Great rewards wait for those
in sports, business, and who know that what really
government). counts is to live in a way
Examples from every that reflects deep and
walk of life illustrate the personal confidence in the
wisdom of the apostle Paul real Provider in our lives.
when he wrote, “If anyone Golfer Wendy Ward gives
competes in athletics, he us an example of such trust
is not crowned unless he in God. She spent several
competes according to successful years competing
25
in the Ladies Professional official over and explained

Golf Association (LPGA), the situation. Following the
winning four tournaments rules to the letter, the official
during her career and added a stroke to Ward’s
finishing as high as 12th total. She ended the
on the LPGA circuit for an tourney with a 282.
entire season. That single stroke was
In 2000, she was playing important, because Juli
in the McDonald’s LPGA Inkster and Stefania Croce
tournament when she was ended at 281, and they
confronted with a moral faced each other in a
dilemma. As she played her playoff, which Inkster won.
way through the final holes Inkster was handed a check
of the tourney, something for $210,000 for her win.
strange happened. On one Ward’s winnings? She
hole, as she got ready to hit received $76,319. That
her ball while it lay on the extra stroke cost Ward
green, Ward saw the ball the opportunity for an
move. She hadn’t touched additional $133,000.
it with her putter, but it Later, Ward said, “I was
moved. No one else saw it disappointed to have lost a
move, but Ward knew that major championship. But I
any movement of the ball felt as if I did the right thing
while she was standing in God’s eyes, and that is
over it—even if she didn’t more important to me.”
touch it—would result in She is an example of a
a stroke being assessed. person who, in the heat of
Ward, who has a competition, realizes that
reputation as a woman of her real security and honor
faith in Christ, knew what are found in her dependence
she had to do. She called an upon a God of unlimited
26
resources. As hard as was also tough when, after

Ward worked to win that going without food for 40
tournament, she knew days in a barren Judaean
that what really counted wilderness, He went toe-to-
was whether, from her toe with His enemy.
heart, she honored the One thing to notice about
real Source of her life. this classic battle of good vs.
evil is that Jesus didn’t go
PRINCIPLES OF into this confrontation alone
or without encouragement.
THE ULTIMATE Just before the desert duel
COMPETITOR between the Lord and His
W
hat should challenger, Jesus had
competitors who received a resounding
want to follow endorsement of His work
Jesus look like? A lot like when He heard His Father’s
Jesus Himself. But the image voice from heaven saying,
of Jesus is often portrayed “This is My beloved Son, in
either by Christians with a whom I am well pleased”
sanitized image of Him or by (Mt. 3:17).
non-Christians who see Him When the temptations
as a mild-mannered guy in came, Jesus not only
white robes with an air of showed His ability to stand
detached indifference. But against His enemy but He
these images don’t line up also gave us an example of
with the Gospel stories. what it takes to live with
Jesus was tough when He honor in a competitive
went into the temple to world.
chase out those who had Let’s look at how
turned a house of prayer Matthew describes Satan’s
into a den of thieves. He attempts to defeat Him:
27
Then Jesus was led up your God.’ ” Again,

by the Spirit into the the devil took Him up
wilderness to be tempted on an exceedingly high
by the devil. And when He mountain, and showed
had fasted forty days and Him all the kingdoms of
forty nights, afterward He the world and their glory.
was hungry. Now when And he said to Him, “All
the tempter came to Him, these things I will give
he said, “If You are the You if You will fall down
Son of God, command and worship me.” Then
that these stones become Jesus said to him, “Away
bread.” But He answered with you, Satan! For it is
and said, “It is written, written, ‘You shall worship
‘Man shall not live by the Lord your God, and
bread alone, but by every Him only you shall
word that proceeds from serve.’ ” Then the devil left
the mouth of God.’ ” Then Him, and behold, angels
the devil took Him up into came and ministered to
the holy city, set Him on Him (Mt. 4:1-11).
the pinnacle of the temple, Three times the
and said to Him, “If You challenger tried to tempt
are the Son of God, throw Jesus. Three times Jesus
Yourself down. For it is responded with a well-
written: ‘He shall give His chosen quote from the
angels charge over you,’ Old Testament book of
and, ‘In their hands they Deuteronomy. In the process,
shall bear you up, lest you Jesus not only resisted the
dash your foot against a temptation but He also gave
stone.’ ” Jesus said to him, us foundational principles
“It is written again, ‘You for living with honor in
shall not tempt the Lord a competitive world.
28
NO ONE LIVES BY DON’T PRESUME

BREAD ALONE UPON GOD’S HAND
First, the devil challenged OF PROVISION
Jesus to show that He was Satan’s second temptation
the Son of God by using took place on a high corner
His power to turn rocks of the temple wall. There he
into bread. In response, challenged Jesus to jump off
Jesus gave us the ultimate to prove His relationship to
confidence that can grace God. In essence, he was
the life of any competitor. saying, “If You are the long-
He said, “It is written, ‘Man awaited Messiah, prove it by
shall not live by bread alone, jumping. If You are the Son
but by every word that of God, Your Father will
proceeds from the mouth send angels to protect You.”
of God’ ” (Mt. 4:4; Dt. 8:3). Jesus responded by
This was a direct allusion saying, “You shall not tempt
to the way God had provided the Lord your God” (Mt. 4:7;
for His people when they Dt. 6:16). This quote comes
wandered in a barren from a section of the law in
wilderness for 40 years. which Moses is warning the
The principle is as true people of Israel not to think
today as then. We do not they can listen to other gods
live by our own strength. and still enjoy the care and
Neither do we survive by provisions of God.
bread or money alone. We The principle applies to
live by the mercies and us in our competitive world.
provisions of our God In the heat of battle, we
in this world of limited might be inclined to heed
and shrinking resources. the voices that say, “You
That is our confidence— have to look after yourself.
whether we win or lose. If you don’t look after
29
yourself, no one else will our lives, we are often

either. Don’t be afraid to tempted to worship the
cut some corners and bend gods of victory, money, and
the rules. Everybody else is acclaim. We know that our
doing it too. Besides, God world doesn’t do much for
understands. If He’s a God losers. So we too can be
of love, He’ll forgive you.” tempted to bow our knee
But as Jesus showed to the gods of this age.
us, that’s not the way to be Yet our loving Father
faithful to our God. And in heaven urges us not to
that’s not the way to live sacrifice our confidence
with confidence and honor in Him on an altar of
in a competitive world. expedience.
TRUST AND
WORSHIP GOD Our loving
AND GOD ALONE Father in heaven
Satan’s third challenge was
his biggest. He offered to urges us not
give Jesus the world without to sacrifice our
a fight, if Jesus would just confidence in Him
bow to him.
But once again Jesus on an altar of
relied on the insight and expedience.
words of God. He said,
“You shall worship the Lord
your God, and Him only Jesus teaches us
you shall serve” (Mt. 4:10; that there is no greater
Dt. 6:13). confidence than worshiping
In the middle of the and valuing and honoring
competitive seasons of God and God alone.
30
THE ULTIMATE When He acknowledged

VICTORY the truth about His
relationship with God, His
T
he temptations of opponents reacted with
Satan in the wilderness shock at what they thought
were followed 3 years was an outrageous insult to
later by another series of God. Then they asked for
challenges. In the darkness His death.
of the night that preceded The challenge and
His ultimate challenge, Jesus trumped-up charges against
was arrested in the Garden Jesus that day seemed to be
of Gethsemane. Alone leading to His tragic defeat.
because “all the disciples But Jesus knew that His
forsook Him and fled” truth and His composure
(Mt. 26:56), He was taken were necessary to fulfill
to stand before the high Scripture and to complete
priest Caiaphas while Jewish the Father’s plan.
religious leaders looked on. Jesus responded with
It was the Sanhedrin confidence, even as His
vs. Jesus, and Jesus had accusers taunted Him,
no defender. So Caiaphas mistreated Him, and
proceeded to trump up some sentenced Him to die.
charges. Jesus’ first response Looking back, it’s apparent
to the charade was silence. that He knew that even
Even in the face of wrong as He hung in agony and
information, He kept His humiliation on a crude
composure. When the high cross of torture, He would
priest finally demanded that end up with the victory.
Jesus respond, He did so In fact, this was a
with truth and without competition that was in
returning evil for evil. one regard unfair to the
31
other side. The rulers who to the competitive situations

sentenced Jesus and the men in our own lives.
who followed through with Let’s pray that as we face
the death penalty never had the daily challenges of living
a chance of winning. That’s in a competitive world, we
because Jesus’ death on will respond in a way that
Calvary would be followed honors the One who secured
by the greatest come-from- for us a relationship with
behind win of all time. His own Father.
After Jesus was buried
in the borrowed grave of
Joseph of Arimathea,
Jesus’ example,
those who killed Him were His words, and His
basking in the glow of what sacrifice can give
they thought was a victory.
But their celebration was
insight to the
short-lived. Three days competitive
later, Jesus burst through the situations in
walls of death and defeat to
emerge as the greatest Victor
our own lives.
ever. When He rose from the
tomb, He won the free gift of Let’s not waste a single
life and reconciliation with opportunity to show that
God for anyone who would while we live in a world that
trust Him. is struggling for limited and
As we contemplate shrinking resources, our
Jesus’ triumph in the face of hope and our confidence
mistreatment, rejection, and is in the One who daily
relentless pain, it’s clear that provides for us, while also
His example, His words, and promising our ultimate—
His sacrifice can give insight and future—victory.
32
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Confident Living Competitive World

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Q0730 Competition pp.

qxp 7/23/08 3:44 PM Page 1

COMPETITION IS humorous way the intense

On the national scene, softball team and covet the

what it takes to live with soon become known as

it usually takes two rivals. Space Race, international

concentration of effort that of landing a man on the

indicator of success in this technology, GPS systems,

THE DANGERS people are getting incredibly

we can see how greed and be true. But we don’t have

with the remnants of on other teams, presumably

competition are so great significant on the altar of

THE POTENTIAL The inner drive

attend one of her school’s people at board meetings—

otherwise well-ordered world awe as we learned the

Eventually, everything who compete well must

with the talents and skills with [us] learns lifetime

react quickly to changing coaching. The mental

physical well-being.” Its the subject of competition

difference between right principles back to their

believing that our well-being competition is football coach

a god out of the game or modern Olympic Creed that

it takes to “run in such a way their goal of God’s approval.

politics. Ken Wales in film toward fearfulness.” And

strength in God rather made a god out of

“I have learned to be that was how she competed,

couple of decades have the rules” (2 Tim. 2:5).

in the Ladies Professional official over and explained

resources. As hard as was also tough when, after

Then Jesus was led up your God.’ ” Again,

NO ONE LIVES BY DON’T PRESUME

yourself, no one else will our lives, we are often

THE ULTIMATE When He acknowledged

other side. The rulers who to the competitive situations

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