Competition

FROM as early as we can all remember, we have been taught that we have to win, we have to come first. We have always been told that no one remembers second best. I guess in a way the teaching is somewhat correct because people hardly ever recall the guy who came second after Usain Bolt.

Our world constantly encourages us to be first. We have become so accustomed to competing in everything we do. People will mindlessly spend their resources on having the fastest car, the biggest house, the list is endless.

This mindset is so akin to being human that at the moment every other nation with an economy that is seemingly doing well displays its success by trying to outdo the next nation by building the tallest building to ever stand. To what end, I ask? I guess it’s safe to say our minds are so accustomed to trying to outsmart the next person that everything else in between does not matter. This needless rat race that we are participating in is becoming the very essence of our existence.

Let’s all take a step back to refocus and think of what happens after the euphoria of winning or defeating our rival, after the adrenalin high that accompanied the journey dies down. The very reason why we were competing ceases to matter.

The victory is soon forgotten and the next moment we are trying to figure out new ways of outdoing our neighbours, friends, work mates and even strangers. The circle never ends and it’s not worth it in the end because we are never satisfied.

As we go about our day to day lives let’s take a lesson from the book of Philippians that implores us not to be consumed by a desire to compete for the sake of fulfilling our egos, but rather let us walk in humility.

Let’s begin the process of looking out for the interests of others instead of viewing them as competition. In everything we do, let’s ask ourselves how we can use our energy to make the lives of others better.

Be blessed.

REFLECTIONSOF A WORKINPROGRESS For more info: Visit our website: www.thefig-tree.org; e-mail us on info@thefig-tree. org; catch us on StarFM, Monday to Friday at 0620hrs.

Philippians 2:3-4; “Do nothing from rivalry or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interest of others.”