Formed by the Game: 30 Days of Seeing God in the Liturgies of SportNäide

Rivalry

Rivalries are at the heart of sport. They are circled on the calendar, talked about in locker rooms, and remembered long after the season ends. Athletes face opponents who push them to their limits, coaches strategize to outmaneuver the other team, and fans passionately cheer against their rivals. Rivalries can fuel motivation, sharpen skills, and create unforgettable moments. They become part of the liturgy of sport—the rituals, chants, and heightened emotions that mark these contests as unique.

But the liturgy of rivalry can also shape us in unhealthy ways. It can disciple us into pride, jealousy, and hostility toward opponents. It tempts athletes to adopt a “win at all costs” mentality and coaches to view the other team as villains rather than competitors. Parents and fans may even model bitterness and trash talk, forgetting that rivalry, though exciting, is not ultimate. Sport culture often teaches us that the rival is the enemy, to be defeated and dismissed rather than respected.

Scripture offers a redemptive flip. Paul reminds us: “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Rivalry does not require animosity. In fact, it can be an opportunity to honor God through excellence, respect, and humility. Competitors are not enemies—they are fellow image-bearers of God, created to reflect His glory through their talents and effort. Approaching rivalry this way transforms it from hostility into a context for spiritual growth.

When we face rivals with integrity, we learn discipline, patience, and respect. Celebrating their strengths while striving to give our best reminds us that competition is not about tearing others down but about building one another up in excellence. Rivalries can still bring fire, intensity, and joy, but they do so without corruption when guided by Christlike humility.

Next time you face a rival—on the field, in the workplace, or in daily life—let it be a liturgical reminder. Compete fiercely, but also love deeply. Rivalry becomes a discipline when it shapes humility, dependence on God, and respect for others.

Prayer:
“Lord, help me to compete with integrity and humility. Teach me to value others, pursue excellence without selfish ambition, and reflect Your love even in rivalry. Amen.”