Recently I’ve been studying Philippians for the National Bible Bee competition.* It’s a beautiful letter packed full of practical applications for the Christian walk. But one thing that has stood out to me most is a theme that I wasn’t expecting: attitude.

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Philippians 2:3-8

God has really convicted me about my attitude towards the National Bible Bee competition through this study. I am a very competitive person, so when I’m doing anything that involves competition, my mind becomes intensely focused on the goal of winning. I have a tendency to have this mindset even in Bible Bee. I love Bible Bee. I love how it draws me closer to the Lord each year and deepens my relationship with Him. But I can easily get off track and start thinking about the wrong prize – the prize of success at nationals instead of the prize of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. (Note: there is nothing wrong with doing well in a competition – that is a blessing from the Lord! But it should never become an idol in our lives that takes the place of the prize of knowing Jesus.)

When I’m focused on the wrong prize, it shows in my attitude and actions: I have a short fuse with my family, I’m impatient, I’m grumpy, etc. To be honest, I’ve struggled with this far more than I’d like to admit. But God really spoke to my heart as I was doing my study on Philippians. Philippians is all about attitude:

Rejoicing in the Lord – Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! (Philippians 4:4)

Living to exalt Christ – according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death. (Philippians 1:20)

Having the attitude of Christ: humility – Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, … Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Philippians 2:5, 8)

Focusing on the true prize of knowing Christ – More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, (Philippians 3:8)

Dwelling on things that are excellent – Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. (Philippians 4:8)

I have found that when my eyes are fixed on competition, they are actually fixed on myself and my pride. When I am focused on myself, I cannot truly enjoy the journey of studying and memorizing the Word.

However, when my eyes are focused on Christ and not on myself, suddenly studying and memorizing God’s Word becomes a joy. I can truly soak in the Word and let it transform my life. The process of memorizing becomes a joy (even though making mistakes can be frustrating) because I am doing it to know Christ more, and that makes it all worth it.

I’ll admit, it’s a lot easier to write about focusing on Christ instead of competition than it is to live out. This is still a struggle for me, but praise God for His faithfulness and grace, and for helping me learn and grow in this lesson each day!

Whatever you’re facing today, whether it’s a competition or just the regular routine of life, I encourage you to press on, and to remember the true prize – knowing Christ Jesus our Lord!

But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ. More than that, I count all things to be loss in view of the surpassing value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them but rubbish so that I may gain Christ, Philippians 3:7-8

With love,

Kelsey

*P.S. To learn more about the National Bible Bee competition, visit their website: https://biblebee.org/