EXCELLENCE

EXCELLENCE

In these times of competition and rivalry, it would be well if we take a good look at personal excellence.

One of the most widely known forms of competition is the Olympic Games, which are held every so often. Athletes from all over the world join in the competition. All of the participants dream of, and hope to attain to, the gold cup. But, of course, it always narrows down to one person getting the coveted prize.

But, in Spiritual attainments it is not so. We can ALL excel, and obtain, the coveted prize.

We do NOT COMPETE AGAINST OTHERS. We strive against the tendencies of our own flesh-- our own nature-- our own personal desires.

I Corinthians 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they [do it] to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

The athletes of ancient Greece, and the Olympics were NOT COMPETING WITH ONE ANOTHER for the sake of a personal prize. Rather, the winner-- the best-- the fastest-- the one who received the slip of paper, or the ribbon, took it immediately and laid it at the feet of the statue of their god. It was a race, then, to achieve the absolute utmost for their idol deity.

IT WAS A QUEST FOR EXCELLENCE, rather than for recognition and fame. Only their best was fit to be offered to their god. What SEEMED to be competition against one another, then, was actually an exercise to determine what was the best to be had, for an offering.

We Christians might be able to learn something from those Greeks of ancient times. Maybe we should examine our motives for doing some of the things we do every day.

Are we competing with others, or are we stiving to be the very best we can be ourselves?