Competitor's Creed - Competitors

'I am a Competitor now and forever. I am made to strive, to strain, to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.'

I am a Competitor now and forever.

What is the dictionary definition of a Competitor? How does this compare with your definition of a Competitor?

A competitor is a person who takes part in a contest. To me, this is either competing against a person or a team. Many times, though, it can be a contest against ourselves. It doesn't even have to be an organized race. I can be when one is training. This becomes more apparent for those of us that participate in an individual sport such as running, biking, triathlons, etc... Sure, we may be in a race and are competiting for the podium or to win our age group, but for many, it's a matter of beating our own time or having a "small" competition against someone else on the road.

I am made to strive, to strain, to stretch and to succeed in the arena of competition.

What are you striving and straining for as an athlete?

I'm striving to better myself physically and mentally; to go beyond the limitations I put on myself either through fear or being complacent.

How do you think God defines success in the arena of competition? How can this be accomplished?

I think God likes to see us win. However, I think He likes to see how we prepare and more importantly, how we deal with things when we fail. Its very easey to be gracious to one's opponent or oneself when we're victorious. It's another thing, and the true mark of a winner, when we deal with adversity and losing just as graciously... if not more.

I am a Christian Competitor and as such, I face my challenger with the face of Christ.

Does your definition of a Competitor from above conflict with what it means to be a Christian? Why or why not?

I don't think the two conflict because we are competing - against the enemy and the things he throws at us. God has not made life a competition between humans, but like it or not, there is a competitive spirit in many aspects of life. If we deal with these levels of competition - with the grace and love of God and imitate Jesus, we'll come out on top and hopefully influence others - it's a win/win.

As Competitors in athletics, we must face our challengers head on, not shying away from anyone. We should fear no opponent. With that said, what does it mean to face our challengers with the face of Christ?

We should face our challengers with love and respect, and grace at all times. We should face the enemy with no fear because Jesus is with us!

We should trust in God's provisions and know that win or lose, He will always be the same and He loves us no less.

On a side note, as Christian Competitors, our challenger is not always the person lined up across from us. Paul writes in Ephesians 6:12 “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers…the authorities…the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” Similar to our preparation for competition, we must be prepared to take a stand against the devil and his schemes by putting on the armor of God.

What was one thing that struck you from all of this and the thoughts that you had? How can this help you be a Competitor for Christ?

Until the next line of the Competitor's Creed... In Christ,

Paul