I don't know about you, but when I play a game, I play to win! I put my guns on and turn into a killer. When I play Monopoly, I become some sort of Mafioso who snuffs out the competition (I usually have a glass of water next to me that I drop other players' tokens into; and when I have taken everything from them I say, "You're sleepin' with the fishes!" in my best New Jersey voice.); when I play Risk, I am the Mongol hordes wreaking havoc and destruction; and when I play Mario Kart, I am "The Intimidator", running everyone off the track! In short, I can be a real jerk, because all I can think about is winning. I want to win at all costs, even at the cost of my family and their feelings. I always bring my guns to any competition, because I want to be the winner.
I do this with everything. When my kids played soccer, I was the parent running up and down the field yelling "sweep his leg!" When I watch sports I get so angry that I will throw things at the TV, and then proceed to yell at the top of my lungs. My competitive nature becomes so overwhelming that I begin to hate and despise those who are my opponents and I wish ill upon them. My competitive nature threatens all areas of my life - personal, professional, and even spiritual. No matter what, I put my guns on, and head to town.
It is sad when I sit back and compare other families to mine. What do they have that mine does not? Or what does mine have that they do not? Why is mine better? etc.etc. I take my guns, and head to town on someone's family! I do the same professionally, I compare their success with my success and determine who the loser is. I can also be spiritually competitive, with who knows their Bible better, spends more time in prayer, blah, blah, blah! It is a sickness, and it can consume me. I know I need to leave my guns at home, but just like Bill, I never listen.
The problem is arrogance and, once again, pride. The world is filled with the arrogant and the prideful. They compare themselves to others, and they judge others, all in an effort to prove that they are winners. That they are the best, so they take out their guns and mow down the competition. And as followers of Jesus, is this how we want to live? Is this an attitude we should have? Listen to what Jesus says,
And he opened his mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
“Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
“Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
“Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.
“Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
“Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account. Rejoice and be glad, for your reward is great in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. (Matthew 5:2-12 ESV)
The world says in order to win, you have to be first! "If you aint first yer last!" But Jesus says, "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." The world says, "Mercy is for the weak!" But Jesus says, "Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy." The world says, "Win! At all cost!" But Jesus says, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God."
Like anyone else, I want to win because I hate losing at anything. But when I let my competitive nature drive me, then I become like everyone else in this world. As a follower of Jesus, I want to do things His way, therefore I need to practice the lost art of being meek, of showing mercy, and being peaceable. I have to learn to leave my guns at home, and follow Him. It is a daily struggle, yet this is the cross that we were all called to carry. This is what it means to die to yourself. It isn't the fun way, or the easy way, but it is Jesus' way. Jesus says in order to be a winner, you must first lose. The meek shall inherit the earth.
May you learn to leave your guns at home. May you learn that life is not about winning, but learning to be more like Jesus as we follow Him. May you carry your cross daily.
Peace and love,
Steve
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