I agree with most of what he said. But I think Aronson, and many others, are disconnected from reality if they think Americans have cornered the market on competition. Maybe Aronson never watched an international soccer game, or a cricket match, or the Olympics. Men are competitive regardless of their race, nationality, or age. The tension we who follow Jesus face is between the drive to win and the need to be gracious. How can we cultivate in ourselves, and our children if we're dads, a competitive spirit that's not obsessed with winning?

In case you think there's an easy solution to the problem, consider the fact that after three-and-a-half years with Jesus, his disciples still struggled with an overly competitive spirit. Flash back in time...the tiny pebbles and small white shells of the Galilean beach crunched under the feet of the two men as they walked beside one another. Behind them, at a distance, followed a third.

Jesus asked Peter several stinging questions. Three times he asked the fisherman if he loved him. And three times Peter assured the Lord of his love. Peter remembered denying the Lord three times. On the beach he confessed his love three times.

Jesus forgave Peter and instructed him to feed his sheep. Peter would spend the rest of his life obeying that command.

As the Lord spoke, Peter couldn't keep from glancing over his shoulder. Behind them followed John. He always did that. Like a little brother he always wanted to be close to Jesus, even when Jesus spoke privately with others.

Peter heard the command of the Lord but he wondered about one thing. He had a single question that couldn't wait. Peter stopped, looked over his shoulder at John and asked, "Lord what about him?" (John 21:21).

Peter had to know what Jesus would do with John. While he fed the Lord's sheep what would John do? Would he build a massive following or humbly serve Peter?

The ugliness of Peter's competitive spirit stained that page of history. But the response of the Lord gives us an effective antidote for obsessive competitiveness.

Jesus answered, "If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me'" (John 21:22). In other words, the Lord said, "Don't worry about my plans for John. Just concentrate on me."

Our concern should center around our own performance, not the performance of others. We must focus on the Lord rather than on our competitors. Pleasing him should be our motivation and satisfaction.

At work, in school, and in sports our concern should center around our own performance, not the performance of others. We win when our best efforts are superior to our opponent's; but from the Lord's perspective, we win each time we do our best and seek to please him, regardless of the score.

Now, I'll be the first to confess that such an attitude doesn't come naturally. It requires looking to the Lord and asking the question, "What would Jesus do? How would he act?" When I consciously ask those questions, I'm freed to enjoy competition even in a loss.