Written By: Amy Nehrig | Staff Support
Photo By: Solveig Jobbins

Competition is no joke in my house. EVERYTHING is a competition. I don’t know if it’s because we have four boys. But it is a constant competition of who can eat the fastest, who is the biggest, and who is the strongest, tallest, or smartest? And you don’t want to be around us when a game of hearts gets started unless you want to hear “second place is the first loser.” Yes, it’s borderline obnoxious, but with five nonstop competitive boys in the house, I have no choice but to beat them at all their games.

So, of course, this carries over into surfing. If you have ever surfed with anyone in my family, you will know the familiar phrase, “Oh, so sorry, but you took second place in the heat.” People who go with us are confused because they think they are surfing for fun, but not with our family. Every wave is scored, and whether you know it or not, when you paddle out, you have joined the heat.

Can you imagine if we took that same competitive spirit into our walk with the Lord? What if we took that same enthusiasm and drive and went all in trying to outdo one another in love? What would our families look like if we competed in things that actually mattered, like who could love the most people today? Or which of us could share Jesus with the most strangers that day?

Romans 12:10 says, “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor.”

I love living in my competitive family. I love heading home from the beach and hearing a recap of everyone’s waves, scores, and who is fictionally advancing to the next heat. But this week, let’s challenge ourselves to take that competitive spirit and outdo one another in love!