Article July 8, 1996 Issue

FOR TEENAGERS

True victory

Lauralyn Sparrowhawk

Whether in sports or any area of life, victory is usually thought of as a happy, satisfying time, whereas defeat is often associated with regret and self-condemnation. While competition can help raise your skills to new heights, you might be tempted to base your feeling of worth on whether you experience victory or defeat. But can wins or losses really change who you are?

The opening chapter of the Bible gives a reliable basis from which to identify ourselves—one that's dependable as well as fulfilling. It tells us that what God made was "very good" (Gen. 1:31). God created man and gave him dominion—not just on a particular day or for a brief moment, but for eternity. Man's true identity, reflecting God, Spirit, is spiritual, unfallen. No number of human victories and defeats can alter man's permanent, God-given identity. You and I are His very good and greatly loved children—always!

When you participate in a competition, whether it's athletic, artistic, or academic in nature, maintaining the true, spiritual view of identity is important. Strength, courage, endurance, coordination, grace, harmony, intelligence—whatever qualities your circumstance requires—come from God, and can be expressed by you and everyone who's competing, as His spiritual reflection. The book of Job says, "For he [God] performeth the thing that is appointed for me: and many such things are with him" (23:14). And your true identity is no more or less important because of the final score.

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