Sights and Insights
Weekly Devotion for April 13, 2021
Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good; love one another with mutual affection; outdo one another in showing honor. Do not lag in zeal, be ardent in spirit, serve the Lord. – Romans 12:9-11
I bought a new car a few weeks ago. My old car was bought while we were living in hilly terrain, and did not really fit the needs of my driving habits here. From the moment we settled on where we would be living, I had decided that I would be on the lookout for a hybrid this spring, because my commute is ideal for a hybrid. I’ve been enjoying the car immensely. I have always preferred smaller cars with better handling, so that driving an SUV, even a small one, felt hulking and clunky to me.
The feature that I have perhaps most enjoyed in my new Kia is that after each trip it displays that gas miles per gallon for that trip. With a measure like that, it is easy to get competitive about seeing how fuel efficient I can make my driving. The car is supposed to have an average of 48 mpg, but I have gotten my commute up to 59 mpg. I have hopes of reaching 60, but if it is even possible I assume a number of variables would have to come together in just the right way.
Many of us have a natural competitive streak. It is part of who we are. Such competitiveness can become an obstacle if we are not mindful of it. It can be divisive and hurt relationships, or cause us to make risky decisions. However, if we can direct it towards something positive it can also build up overall well-being. I’m not speaking here of good works that are done to make us favorable in God’s sight – that is not possible. Rather, resting in God’s grace, we are free to make decisions for the good of others. Our competitive drives can pull us away from that freedom, or we can intentionally make choices to employ that tendency to accomplish something positive. I take Paul’s charge to “outdo one another in showing honor” in this way. It is a type of competitiveness that does not judge one another, but rather sets a high bar for one another in being people of honor and compassion. In this way, we are able to use our freedom as a means for serving the Lord effectively.