Bethany Lutheran Church

Competition is meant to be fun. It can be motivating and encouraging. The ways we compete in sports, academics, music etc. is holy. It speaks to the parts of our soul that desire maybe a bit of what has been lost to sin. We love to see people move and perform in the beautiful ways in which they were created. We love to win. There is also the competition within ourselves to be faithful. To lean into Christ and his call. Along the way there are many temptations to cut corners, be envious, or maybe even quit but we push on to win the ultimate race.Luke 9:46-48 (ESV)An argument arose among them as to which of them was the greatest. But Jesus, knowing the reasoning of their hearts, took a child and put him by his side and said to them, “Whoever receives this child in my name receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. For he who is least among you all is the one who is great.”1 Corinthians 9:24-26 (ESV)Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run th