Bikukwatako? (How does it touch on you?)

Competition. It is such a part of our lives. Right from when we are children, there are positions in class, when you run a race, play a game, even our country is called a third world country.(3rd is generally considered a good position unless there's only 3). It gets really complicated when we get older and we still want to be the first or at least, not to be the last. I think it was easier when we were in class and it was clear what the competition is about. But now, everything gets all mixed up!

Some argue that competition is not healthy and can lead to self esteem issues; they go as far as giving all the children medals and saying that 'everyone is a winner'. Others argue that absence of competition encourages severe mediocrity.

I remember coming home with either results from a test/exam or a report card. Sometimes I would explain my poor performance to my father by stating that the WHOLE class performed badly! Somehow, that excuse never worked even later when I joined a school where they would give us sheets with everybody's marks. My dad only looked at my marks and would always insist that I could do better. It was like he wanted me to be the best that I could be and that had nothing to do with everyone else.

Peter turned and saw that the disciple whom Jesus loved was following them...

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”   John 21:20-22

Its like Jesus was telling Peter: Bikukwatako? How is it your concern/ business what plans I have for him? Do your part, which is to follow me. Sometimes we can get so preoccupied wondering what other people are doing: if they are dating, married, what job they have, how much they are earning, what car they are driving..compared to us? We sometimes think, we were in class together in Primary school but this person is already soooo ahead, how did I get left behind? We begin frantic catch up measures such as dating the next bum that shows interest, taking paying jobs whilst passing up ones that we are really interested in, taking loans we can't afford to service to buy a car we can't afford to keep on the road!

I had to be honest with myself that what was hard for me about this phase of my life- when I am not working or studying or having babies is I felt like I was being left behind. Like we were all running, I had started well but now, I was being left behind. The question is, behind who? The more I thought about it, the more I realised everyone was living their own lives.  I have had to relearn a few things:

1. Run your race - I believe God has a race 'marked out' for each one of us and it is not the same. (Heb 12:1b) Sprint runners aren't good at marathon and vice versa. I had to ask myself: What is my race? 

2. Compete with yourself (Gal 6:4)

3. It takes a little time sometimes. Yeah, it took Joseph close to 20 years before the fulfilment of his dreams, Jesus started His ministry at 30 years!

The bottom line is you have to be honest with yourself. Are you really giving your best? Trying your hardest where you are at? Can you do better or more? If the answer is yes, be committed to that.