If you know me at all you probably know that I am a little bit competitive. Ok, so that’s probably an understatement, I am really competitive. Whether is it sports, cards, or board games I want to win. I try pretty hard, and usually succeed, at not being a sore loser, but I really just want to win.
When we got to our ministry this month we learned that they were going to be having a sports fest while we were there. I was immediately super excited. We spent the next few days getting the court and multipurpose hall ready for the inauguration and helped welcome some of the big sponsors of Mount Moriah Sports camp and KIM ministries for the big day.
It was really an amazing thing to be part of. We were treated to a meal that included 2 pigs and 1 cow they roasted for the occasion. We also got to experience traditional Pilipino music and culture. As the main sponsor, Tom Randle, who is the head chaplain of the PGA, was speaking it was so encouraging to see how much focus is on glorifying God through this new facility. They were also able to encourage us as we serve here and then move on to the rest of the world.
Then finally, it was time to start the games. There were tournaments for basketball, soccer, and volleyball. We had teams in soccer and volleyball. The first day we played our first soccer game. Somehow we won 6-0, but what I will really remember from that game is what one of the opponents said, "We play for the fellowship, it doesn't matter if we win or lose."
This pretty much hit me like a ton of bricks. How many times have I ruined an opportunity to fellowship because I was letting my competitiveness rule how I viewed the game. How many times have I not looked like Jesus when I was playing a game because I let competitiveness overrule me.
This continued when we played volleyball. Before the game we were pretty sure we were going to win. But, it didn't happen, and man did I want to. After the game I had to check myself, did I glorify God by the way I played and by the way I lost? So why are you playing? Yes, winning is important, but what is more important, that or fellowshipping and glorifying God?
