Godly Competition?

GODLY COMPETITION?

Society puts a strong emphasis on competition. Many compete in sports at the very impressionable ages of 4-5 years. Parents live vicariously through their miniature athletes, putting unnecessary stress on them. I recently viewed a popular television show called "Toddlers & Tiaras". These are 2-5 year old children competing in beauty pageants. It was appalling to see the expectations their mothers placed on these toddlers to perform.

There is also the pressure to compete academically. After all, if your child isn't the Valedictorian of their class, you must have failed as a parent. Then, of course, you must have the latest fashion trend, the nicest car, the best-looking girlfriend or boyfriend, and on and on...By the time we reach our twenties and begin college or start a career, we are so brain-washed to meet society's expectations of success, that we have completely failed to know anything at all about what pleases God. Let me assure you, there will always be someone smarter, wealthier, and better-looking than you. Competing in society's race to win is a waste of time and energy.

Let's be honest with ourselves. We, women, are more concerned with what pleases our husbands, our children, our parents, and our bosses, than we are with pleasing God. We should want to please our husband as his helpmeet, but God, alone, must be the true focus of our life. You can never completely meet people's expectations simply because people are constantly changing. And so are their expectations of others. You will lose all sense of peace if you make it your life's quest to be a people-pleaser.

God's Word says that we are "...fearfully and wonderfully made..." (Psalms 139:14). God created us to fulfill His purposes, not man's. Thankfully, His ways never change. He has written His purposes for your life in His Word. Your purpose for success should be based upon Colossians 3:23, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."

Blinders are put over the race horse's eyes during the race so that he won't be distracted by other competitors. Blinders help him to focus on "his" race. This picture reminds me of the verse found in Isaiah 26:3, "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." We must make it a daily choice to live by God's expectations, not by the constantly changing trends of this world or expectations of people. Others may be disappointed in our performance, but it is God who must be pleased with us. It is His Son, Jesus Christ, who died for us. It is to Him that we owe our all.

Because of His Grace,


Ginger