You've Got To Love That Competitive Spirit

"I can do all things through Him who gives me strength."   Philippians 4:13


        It's football season again.   I can feel the blood tingling through my veins.   My heart is racing.  I can't wait for next weekend to watch some more games.  I don't even care who is playing.  It's football.  It's great. I just love football.   I am playing in two fantasy football leagues this season and they just make watching the games even more enjoyable.  I am very competitive.   I like to win.  I don't have to win.  I certainly enjoy winning more than losing, but my joy doesn't come from the win.  Instead, it comes from the competitive nature of the game.   
              I think that sports and games of all kinds are great fun because they bring out the competitive nature in me.   I really try to do my best at each and every game I play.   I enjoy watching games where people are really trying to do their best.   Kind of weird huh?   Unbiblical you say?  Relying on self?   Trying to be better than others?   I don't think so.   Let me explain....
              If, as the bible say "I can do all things through Him who gives me strength" then I should be good at everything I do.... logically that would make sense, but we are human and not alway really good at everything.   However,   If we do everything that we do to the glory of God, then wouldn't we always strive to do our very best.   Even knowing that we might not win.  Might not be the best there is.  But at least we are giving the best we have.    I see sports kind of like that...   I might not be the best softball player in the world.   But if I give it everything I have.   And if I play a good clean game, with no cheating or hard feelings.  and if I give God the glory if I do well, and don't get down if i don't do so well...   Then haven't I honored God in what I have done.   
              I believe that God wants us to be the best we can be.  That He wants us to give our all in all that we do.   I believe that He wants us to understand that we can't be the best on our own, but only through Him.   Now I am not saying that we should pray to win.... that just seems so wrong.... but rather, that we should pray that we play fair, and give it all that we have to give.  
              If you look around, there are Christians in professional sports who are out there sharing their faith with others and inspiring our youth.   They are being a positive witness for Christ.   They give all they have.  They know that they are only able to be where they are by the grace and blessing of God.   And all they do, they do for His glory.    
             Competition is good folks.   As Christians we are not called to let others win.  We are called to do our very best in all we do.  To give all.   To be the tool.   It is a witness to His glory.  So in that vein, I will go out there and play my fantasy football.  I will do my very best to win week after week after week.   And no matter how it goes, I will have given my all, and I will have enjoyed the competition.   Praise the Lord.  It's got to make you wonder.
             Dear Lord,  please help my friends and I to give our all.  To try to do our very best for you in all that we do.   Help us to engage in healthy competition, but not to take it to heart if we win or lose.   And help our good natured competitive attitude be a shining light to others as they see our love for You in all we do.