Friends and I met at the park to picnic on a sunny day. The couple brought their two elementary-age sons to explore the playground. We enjoyed the outing until the younger son started losing in a soccer game. He stormed over to sulk beside his mom.
“This isn’t good,” the mother muttered under her breath.
Then the parents explained the younger son felt he had to place first—in everything! Unless he could be number one, he’d withdraw from the activity.
We adults puzzled about how to help him see that life doesn’t always allow one to be the victor. A few moments later, I challenged the older brother to race on the sidewalk. Of course, he beat me.
“I won! I won!” crowed the older boy.
Speaking loudly for the younger child to overhear, I said, “The most important thing is that I ran the race as best as I could. If I ran my best race, then I am happy.”
Too often as adults, we still sprint to beat others. Who has the better car? Who advances quicker up the corporate ladder?
We also need to remember that God only asks us to do our best. He doesn’t pit us against each other. He wants us to look to Him for guidance where to go and how best to get there.
Today’s Bible verse:
“Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord. For it is not the one who commends himself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends.” (2 Corinthians 10:17-18 NIV)
Image credit: pixabay.com/photos/track-meet-race-racing-macro-79600/
