Outdo One Another

I’m not sure where I got my competitive spirit, but I have one. Whether it’s competing in a race or showing my horse, there’s something deep within me that desires to win. If it’s a 5K and there’s someone a bit ahead of me, I’m gonna run my hardest to pass that person, no matter what. I’m not gonna win the 5K, or even get close, but if I can just pass that one person, I’ve won in my mind.

We live in a world where we’re familiar with competition-at it’s best and sometimes, at its worse. Romans 12:10 actually says “Outdo one another in showing honor.” What would it look like if we made it our goal to outdo one another in showing honor?

More than ever, our country is in need of individuals who are all about outdoing one another in showing honor. What would it look like if you took that verse to heart and outdid others in showing honor? Whether people deserve it or not (and many won’t) you give honor freely.

How do you honor your boss? How do you honor those you work with? How do you honor those who care for your children? How do you honor the waitress or waiter who serves you? How do you honor those different from you? How do you honor your parents? How do you show honor to those in authority over you? How do you show honor by overlooking mistakes of others? How do you honor God? 

I’m convinced there’s a way to show honor to those in our world. The one lesson I’ve learned over time is that I need God’s help to love people well. I need God’s help to know how best to encourage someone. I need God’s help to treat all people with respect and love. I need God’s help to outdo one another in showing honor.

Scotty Smith writes “There’s always an honorable, kind way to do even the most difficult relational work- at home, at work, at church and in our culture. This isn’t a matter of being nice, but of honoring Jesus.”  This is what I long for…to do the honorable thing, and with Christ’s help, I can. God, help us all outdo one another in showing honor!

Nancy Abbott is the Chaplain of the YMCA of Greater San Antonio.