Vol III: #13 Competition Is My Jam
When I was a kid, I completed my tests and quizzes as fast as possible. This practice usually resulted in one wrong answer per exam but I was happy with time for points exchange. So far as I was concerned, an A is an A, and the only real challenge was being first to finish. I got more joy out of being the first to turn in my test than the result.
Three months ago, on our Revival Group Day, our leaders split us into groups and we competed against each other in a series of summer camp-like races and events. After the first event of potato walking (place a potato between your knees, walk across the room, then drop the potato into a bucket, without using your hands), my group was dead last and a small part of me seethed over the result. In the next three competitions, we finished second, first, and first. And, when the points were tallied to confirm what we knew. Though we started in last place, we won the whole competition.
When the winning group was announced, I burst into a sprint as I held my index fingers high- you know, to remind my classmates who finished number one. I laughed the laugh of winner and genuinely enjoyed the win. And, as I neared the end of my victory lap, a thought scrolled across my mind “I love to compete.” And, so I do.
Today, I talked to the Lord about the next six months of my life. I want to be productive and hit my goals. And, to be vulnerable, I don’t have a lot of hope in myself. I know I need structure and accountability. Structure is easy enough to procure- set goals, break them down into achievable steps, then add a timeline. The first year of this blog is perfect example of that process. But, I have not yet been able to transfer that success into other areas of my life which is why the conversation with the Lord this morning was so critical. He reminded me of my successes and what motivates me.
What drives me is competition. And, I love to win. How did I not know this about myself? It seems obvious now, but it wasn’t three hours ago. And, when I think back to favorite life victories, most of them include some sort of competition or test. And as ever, and in His time, I feel like the Lord gave me a very important key, which I will figure out how to use to His glory.
I admit I gave up being competitive because it’s seen as undesirable and even sinful. (The world really will beat you down, eh? Into a wet-towel glump of inoffensive nothingness? And, I bought into it.) The truth is people who get things done are offensive to someone. They set goals, push themselves, and compete. And, I want to get shit done.
