Being the Best

 As I watch the 2014 Winter Olympics this week, I have noticed that many athletes celebrate placing 2^nd or 3^rd in their event. Although they did not win, being 2^nd or 3^rd means they receive an Olympic medal. Still, the competitor in me finds this odd. Why celebrate coming up short of winning? After all, “If you ain’t first, you’re last.” (Reese Bobby, Talladega Nights: The Legend of Ricky Bobby)

With all due respect, Reese Bobby had it all wrong. The athletes who celebrate being 2^nd or 3^rd do so because they compete with themselves, not other athletes.  Unconcerned with being the best in their event, they are only concerned with being the best they can be.

How often do we measure our success by how we place in the standings of those around us? Even Jesus’ closest followers did it, multiple times being caught arguing about who among them was the greatest. Each time, Jesus reminded them that greatness is not achieved by being better than others. It’s achieved by being a better version of ourselves. Don’t worry about how you measure up to other people. Are you being the best you that you can be?