Wednesday, November 25, 2009

Love Losing or Losing Love

There is competition both formal and informal. In it all we are asking a question. It is "Who wins and why?" The very word "competition" announces to us our mutual interest in that which may be had by only one. Nations compete for territory and tribute. Corporations for trade routes and profits. And individuals for that brief whiff of social standing, the definition of the Self.

Games are great for the exercise of the latter. Point totals, rules and limited times and terrain all compound to make the winner able to cash in a quantifiable for his or her Self definition. Ah, yes, the winner. It is always the winner, darn his hide! But the loser, the sulky, angry, excuse-making, "second place is never good enough", sort of loser is a unacceptable problem to the spirit of grace incumbent on Christians. I guess they just did not like the answer to the question expressed earlier.

Who wins? The other guy.
Why? He was better than you.
What is your problem with that? You are not wise.

"First you call me a loser and then a fool?
You are not making friends, O Oracle. "

What else should I call you?

You are playing a game. You anticipate being able to win. The point totals at the end would verify your self assessment. You rise from the table torqued, affronted, and pouty. The point totals said other than what you anticipated. They rebuked your false definition of self and to pout is to be a fool. Rejoice for you have been reproved in a false notion of yourself. Love them who beat you, for they are your teacher. For do not the Scriptures say:

Proverbs 9:8 Do not reprove a scoffer, or he will hate you;
reprove a wise man, and he will love you.
9 Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;
teach a righteous man and he will increase in learning.

and
17:10 A rebuke goes deeper into a man of understanding
than a hundred blows into a fool.

9 comments:

timmyjimi said...

I take it Leslie was upset after last night's Scrabble defeat?

Andrew said...

Grace from God available to every person makes each who accept it victorious in the grand scheme of eternity. How does your exploration of your own standing in the social hierarchy compare to your win with Christ? I just wonder how the two stack up with one another?

Evan B. Wilson said...

This post addresses the humility which losing in our pursuit of advancement finds spiritually necessary. The animal/humane distinction is merely to identify what processes of thought and government people use to stay away from the wisdom God suggests as necessary. I may be missing your point but feel free to clarify.

Andrew said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Andrew said...

I didn't have that straight in my head, sorry. I meant to point out, besides humility in losing, that a 'loss' in social matters is small peanuts compared to the victory we have through Christ. We can enjoy competition and even losing with the that knowledge.

Evan B. Wilson said...

Amen, Andrew.

Unknown said...

This is about your previous competition with Nimrod Tracy, isn't it?

Evan B. Wilson said...

One must lead by example, Ken.

Stephanie Norvell said...

Hey Evan,
Steph here. Where is your blog on animal instinct versus human instinct that you told me about? Love the breakdown of competition.
Steph & Jason