Studying business in college, we heard a lot about competition – vying for scarce resources; striving for a piece of the market; offering people something better and more interesting. I enjoyed thinking about what makes people tick, their motivations and why we make the choices we do. At times, we can see ourselves through this lens too – competing to be seen, to be loved, to prove our worth, to achieve. Sometimes even at the expense of others.

Competition can be a very good thing – raising standards and giving us choice. It can be fun in games and sports, but it can be tiring too. That comparison, measuring up, a worry that there may not be enough for us, or others.

In Exodus it says God is jealous for us. ‘You must not worship any other God, for he is a jealous God’ (34:14). God, it seems competes for our affections. Frequently, the Bible describes the emotion as a ‘jealous anger’ – it’s passionate, protective, and fiery. God puts Himself in the vulnerable position. Competing for His people. He doesn’t want us to fall under the spell of other weaker idols.   

And what’s incredible is that it doesn’t happen the other way around. We don’t compete for Gods affection. One God, billions of us but yet, we don’t compete.

‘All have sinned and fallen short of the Glory of God’ (Romans 3:23)

‘At the foot of the cross, the ground is even’
(Lyrics we sang at Ignite recently)

We don’t complete for God’s attention. He has no favourites. He doesn’t compare me to you; my accomplishments, character, failures to yours. We don’t compete.

He sees us. He loves us. We’re worthy in Christ. There is no competition. I think this is amazing. In the most important relationship we have, we have the freedom to be. Always. It can’t be taken away from us and it won’t run out.

I thank you Lord for your unconditional, incomparable love

Theme image by Rudy and Peter Skitterians from Pixabay