Wish I could join the crew, but my time in the dark will be spent on lesson planning and grading. Be safe out there. I hear the waters can be pretty rough.
KH–I will say the game was on the whole time, but the food and fellowship were the main attraction…’til late in the fourth quarter. That strip-sack was the play of the game.
For the last couple of years this thought has been brewing so this isn’t just on a whim, but I’d like some other perspectives.
I’m having a hard time reconciling being competitive with being a follower of Jesus. Not me personally, but the concept. The idea behind competition is to demonstrate “I’m better than you and I can prove it.” This desire to show “I’m better than you” seems contradictory to the scriptural ideas of putting others before your self, being the servant of all, seeing others higher than you see yourself, being humble/humility, etc. Church sports leagues have never made sense to me for this very reason.
Yes I am aware that Paul used sports metaphors, but they were always in the context of winning against your own flesh, not winning against others.
You have a point.
Where I would differ is that competition also means being the best you can possibly be…which is a good and noble pursuit and stewardship of the gifts God has given.
Michael – I can see that, but that can be accomplished without competition, without the need to be better than others. At that point it isn’t competition. It isn’t even exhibition which is something I’d prefer to see anyway.
I think you can make a biblical case for your position.
On the other hand, I think we’re all born with a competitive nature to some degree and it’s not necessarily a sinful impulse.
Always enjoy reading what folks here are discussing in the middle of the night
FWIW….
Competitive sports are a great outlet for the young male of our species IMHO
It is an oportunity to learn so many good life lessons including respect, but the onus is on the older males to teach, is it not?
As a female i played some tennis (in school) and i always felt like i was competing against myself – that is, did i play better than last time? Did i play as well as i could?
As i think on it, competition is good, if the attitude is good… but i do look at it as a female and a mom, so…. dunno…?….
The Eaglres earned that win and the referees had to make some dicey calls, but they were right .. Happy for Kevin and Philadelphia, too
Competition to me is iron sharpening iron. Within the intimacy of physical competition people hone the ability to be gracious, to fight with respect. For men and boys it is key to development, I would assume from report and research as key to development as conversation is to women’s development.
I think it’s a lot better to compete against yourself, versus everyone else. No matter how talented you are or hardworking, it’s just a matter of time before you meet someone who’s
“:ahead” of you in the game. If you’re trying to better yourself, you’re in charge.
Open blogging in the dark…
Wish I could join the crew, but my time in the dark will be spent on lesson planning and grading. Be safe out there. I hear the waters can be pretty rough.
Oh…and FIRST!!
Hey Night Shifters, I’ve got one thing to say –
E-A-G-L-E-S, EAGLES!!!
KevinH,
I stayed up just to make sure to congratulate you.
Now, that I have, I’m going to bed… 🙂
kevinh–congrats to the fill-ly nation for their big win. All at my house were pulling for your team to win. Entertaining game for sure.
CaptKev–with you on the grading and lesson plans–second semester starts in the morning.
Thank you, Michael. But c’mon, you’ve got three hours on me and I’m not anywhere close to bed! (Although I’ll be paying for it tomorrow.) 🙂
Thanks, fil. Of course, when the other choice was the Patriots, it must not have been a hard choice to root for the Eagles. 🙂
KH–I will say the game was on the whole time, but the food and fellowship were the main attraction…’til late in the fourth quarter. That strip-sack was the play of the game.
KH–we were sunny and nearly 70 degrees today–so lots of us roamed in and out checking on the game and hanging out on the patio and by the grill.
Maybe it didn’t appear to be the bold choice at the time……. but it was the right one!
https://phoenixpreacher.com/kevin-h-are-you-really-who-you-think-you-are/
fil, I’m glad you all enjoyed it. (Probably just not quite as much as me.) 🙂
Late to the party here in the ATL…congrats to the Eagles and Kevin H!
Working the day shift today…6am start..still 3am on the West Coast.
Does Monday morning count as Late Night?
For the last couple of years this thought has been brewing so this isn’t just on a whim, but I’d like some other perspectives.
I’m having a hard time reconciling being competitive with being a follower of Jesus. Not me personally, but the concept. The idea behind competition is to demonstrate “I’m better than you and I can prove it.” This desire to show “I’m better than you” seems contradictory to the scriptural ideas of putting others before your self, being the servant of all, seeing others higher than you see yourself, being humble/humility, etc. Church sports leagues have never made sense to me for this very reason.
Yes I am aware that Paul used sports metaphors, but they were always in the context of winning against your own flesh, not winning against others.
Has anyone else processed through this?
Corby,
You have a point.
Where I would differ is that competition also means being the best you can possibly be…which is a good and noble pursuit and stewardship of the gifts God has given.
Michael – I can see that, but that can be accomplished without competition, without the need to be better than others. At that point it isn’t competition. It isn’t even exhibition which is something I’d prefer to see anyway.
Corby,
I think you can make a biblical case for your position.
On the other hand, I think we’re all born with a competitive nature to some degree and it’s not necessarily a sinful impulse.
Isn’t being competitive a built in instinct and is what keeps us at the top of the food chain? 🙂
Always enjoy reading what folks here are discussing in the middle of the night
FWIW….
Competitive sports are a great outlet for the young male of our species IMHO
It is an oportunity to learn so many good life lessons including respect, but the onus is on the older males to teach, is it not?
As a female i played some tennis (in school) and i always felt like i was competing against myself – that is, did i play better than last time? Did i play as well as i could?
As i think on it, competition is good, if the attitude is good… but i do look at it as a female and a mom, so…. dunno…?….
The Eaglres earned that win and the referees had to make some dicey calls, but they were right .. Happy for Kevin and Philadelphia, too
I’m not sure that “proving I’m better than the next guy” is the best definition for competition.
Competition to me is iron sharpening iron. Within the intimacy of physical competition people hone the ability to be gracious, to fight with respect. For men and boys it is key to development, I would assume from report and research as key to development as conversation is to women’s development.
I think it’s a lot better to compete against yourself, versus everyone else. No matter how talented you are or hardworking, it’s just a matter of time before you meet someone who’s
“:ahead” of you in the game. If you’re trying to better yourself, you’re in charge.