Why Do You Compete?

Athletes compete for many reasons. But which ones truly matter?

Working in college athletics for nearly two decades, there was one question I heard after almost every event. “Can I see the box score?” athletes would ask, ready to boil down their performance in that game to a single line of statistics.

Sometimes, they would look at the numbers and smile. Other times, they would get upset — with themselves, their coach, their teammates or even the statistician. It can be easy for athletes to let the numbers on the scoreboard or in the box score determine their value.

Winning is fun. And when you win, praise and opportunity often follow. It’s the same when you put up big numbers, post fast times or break records. Then, there’s the flip side: A rough performance can lead to even rougher thoughts and comments from outsiders.

But as a Christ follower, God calls you to live and compete differently, chasing after a goal far beyond the scoreboard, the stat sheet and all the everyday perks that come with competitive success. Your motivation should be greater. 

Have you ever paused to look at what motivates you? As you think about that, ask yourself these three questions:

WHO do I compete for?

“Take off your former way of life, the old self that is corrupted by deceitful desires, to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, and to put on the new self, the one created according to God’s likeness in righteousness and purity of the truth." –Ephesians 4:22-24

Are you competing to bring glory to yourself or make your family and friends proud? As a Christian, you have a unique calling to live differently from the world. So, even in competition, your purpose is to glorify God by using the gifts and talents He’s given you.

Because of God, we have hope and future. We have life, now and forever. He is worth competing for. 

WHY should I compete?

“The LORD will fulfill his purpose for me. LORD, your faithful love endures forever; do not abandon the work of your hands.” –Psalm 138:8 

As an athlete, God created you with His own hands for a specific purpose in mind.

In every competition, practice, and film or training session, you have an opportunity to glorify God and display the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ. By competing in the way He made you, you can become more like Him and show others what it looks and feels like to experience joy and peace by living for something greater than yourself.

And no matter the result on the scoreboard or the stats in the box score, He will not abandon you, because His faithful love endures forever.

HOW should I compete?

"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified."

–1 Corinthians 9:24-27

While the world teaches us to do whatever it takes to win — whether by the rules or not — God holds His people to a different standard.

As an athlete, God calls you to exercise self-control, discipline and integrity. That means competing honestly, humbly and respectfully toward our teammates and opponents.

Winning dishonestly or disrespectfully may look good on the scoreboard, but a perishable wreath (or even a championship ring, new contract or praise from others) isn’t worth damaging your testimony in Christ.

So, seek to honor God in everything you do, not just in your sport, but in your attitude, actions and words. When you do that, God will give you plenty of opportunities to glorify Him and share His love with others.

Is it time for a new motivation?

When you know WHO you are competing for, it will help you understand WHY and HOW you should compete.

So, take a moment to assess why you compete and how competing for Christ can change everything. Are you seeking personal glory through competition, or are you competing to live out your faith and glorify God?

Maybe it’s time for a new motivation — a God-honoring motivation. Perhaps it’s time to take off your former way of life and put on your new self.

Because you are much more than who the box score says you are, and the One who created you for a specific purpose isn’t looking at the scoreboard.

LIVE IT OUT

Theme Verse: “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.” - Romans 15:13

Quarter Verse: “You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old self, which is being corrupted by its deceitful desires; to be made new in the attitude of your minds;  and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.” –Ephesians 4:22-24, NIV

Question: Why do you compete? Why do sports truly matter to you? What does God have to say about the way you compete?

Challenge: Know WHO you are competing for, so you can understand WHY and HOW you should compete.

CTA: Why do you compete? Is it for the wins? The statistics? To give God glory? Take a moment to assess why you compete, and how competing for Christ changes everything. Then, go deeper with Discovery Bible Study: 24/7 DBS



*If you read this article and aren’t in relationship with Christ yet but would like to know more, we invite you to go through FCA’s The FOUR that explains how an everlasting and fulfilling life with God is possible.