Sports is a billion-dollar industry in which much time, effort, and, of course, money are invested. As with any investment, a return is expected. The ultimate goal is to win. When a team or individual is winning, all is well with the world. When losing is the result, not so much.
As an older sports fan with less leisure time at my disposal than years ago, I hardly ever watch games in their entirety. However, I pay attention to teams’ overall standings during the regular season. And I observe the natural dichotomy of their fortunes. For example, one team has 12 wins and two losses, while another has two wins and 12 losses. Inevitably, when one team wins, another has to lose. If you are the winning team, there is no room for compassion for the loser, unless you want to take their place. And that would defy all common sense and logic and earn you the wrath of owners, coaches, teammates, and fans.
This mindset of winning at the expense of others, while acceptable in the world of sports, doesn’t translate well to accomplishing the purpose God has individually ordained for each of us. Given that accomplishing our God-given purpose is a unique endeavour, comparison is counterproductive for some important reasons:
1. Comparison with others can cause us to be satisfied with our results even when we failed to do our best because it was better than those within our sphere.
2. Comparison can cripples our motivation to try because we have already concluded that our efforts will not match up well with some other perceived expert.
3. Such a mindset is driven by pride because it focuses on self and how we will be perceived rather than a desire to please God and see the positive impact of our efforts on others.
4. It limits our faith and dependence on the power of God in our lives to accomplish what He wants to do through us.
Ultimately, our criterion for winning our race is not based on comparison with others, but on whether we did what we were supposed to do as defined by God.
The Apostle Paul knew the dangers of this tendency even among believers, so he cautioned in 2 Corinthians 10:12 – For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.
So, ensure you run your own race, celebrate your progress, and encourage others running to do the same.