CO-OPERATION RATHER THAN COMPETITION

We live in a competitive world; in sport, business, in achievement, wealth, etc…… and competition is good. It encourages, forces us, to be the best in whatever field we are in. I can imagine how lazy we would become if there was not competition. In High School my best friends and I were in constant competition- Cheryl would beat me to the finish line by a few seconds in the 100m event, later Vera would also outrun me, but I would be far ahead in breaststroke at the swimming gala.

Competition makes us train harder, study more, “stretch” ourselves rather than becoming lax and lazy. So, what I am saying is that competition, in its rightful place is not only good but essential for us.

But there is also the dark side of competition where it aims at breaking down our opponent, sometimes in their financial endeavours, or, as we see in politics where ‘dirt’ is dredged up, and published, to discredit them. Even if the information was false, or unsubstantiated the ‘mud’ sticks. It is called “dirty tricks”. Unfortunately, we see too much of this type of competition in our modern world!

The opposite to unhealthy competition is co-operation. People working together being mindful of the needs and roles of each other. It is not so much about “me” and “my” success but what is good for me, and my neighbour.

I found an interesting example of this in the bible recently. (don’t write off the Bible, it is full of wisdom!)  The scenario is this; John the Baptist was calling people to repent of their selfish and wicked ways. He was baptising them in the Jordan River as a symbol of “washing off the old stuff” and a new beginning. Jesus was there and asked to be baptised, but He never launched His ministry until John was arrested and imprisoned. In the Gospel of Matthew it states that only when Jesus heard that John was in prison did He begin His ministry. It says in Matthew 4:12 “When Jesus heard that John had been put into prison, he returned to Galilee” and in verse 4:17 “From that time on Jesus began to preach.”  Co-operation, not competition! Teamwork each having their role to play.

Our task is to discern when competition is healthy for all the parties, or when competition is detrimental.