The difficult thing about the English language is knowing which particular definition goes to the particular word. The word that I am going to mention today certainly falls in that category and even carries the weight of personal opinion and expectation. The word is competition.
Like the word leadership, competition has several thousand definitions, understandings, and expectations. Throughout any given day I encounter people who engage in competition or talk about competition. Within those participating, whether playing or talking, there are differences that arise. From the thought of winning at all cost to making sure every one receives a reward for their involvement.
In this brief blog let me give you a definition of competition that I believe fits well. In fact it even points to a biblical view of competition that is positive for us all. Roger Oswald, leading developer of sports and recreation resources, has penned the definition of competition to be, "the pursuit of a goal in the face of resistance." I agree with his statement both athletically and spiritually. In many recreation activities or games, we are against a resistance in the pursuit of our goals. Whether that be in a baseball game, a fitness class, or a golf match. I would also agree with Caz McCaslin, founder of Upward Sports, that competition is also measured and defined as "an equal opportunity to win... And there is a difference between competition and healthy competition." Unfortunately most people have in their minds a view or definition of competition that is defined by having the best ten players on a team and putting a beating on another team or individual.
From a spiritual viewpoint as Christians, we too are in a competition. We are striving for the goal or prize that Christ Jesus has set before us in the face of resistance - the ways of this world. It's in this competition that we learn life lessons and teaching moments when the resistance is before us. You may have noticed that in this life when things are well we are not really in growing mode. But when we are battling the things of the flesh, the world, and the devil, we find ourselves growing deeper in our spiritual walk.
Therefore, in light of the definition provided for competition, I would say competition is good and even biblical. Like sports and life, it's the times that we have to respond to resistance that we find ourselves developing for the better and learning lessons to enhance our recreation activity/sport and Christian walk.
This is simply a brief overview and a place to start in terms of your thinking about competition. Ask yourself what's your view of competition and why? Competition stems from what you are passionate about. It's that passion that creates competition. The passions you posses stimulate motivation, inspiration, and are transferable to others (good or bad). So what's your passion? Is it winning, is it developing children with proper sports instruction, is it glorifying Christ in your sports experience?
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