The Secret Church Competition

There's a secret competition that happens with Christians everywhere.

It's bred in us.

It's in our inner nature.

The competition can be fierce.

Many churches train youngster from the time they can read with "Sword Drills".

The Holy Spirit seems to lead us to engage in it.

What's this secret church competition?

It's a race.

It's being the first to find the scripture during gatherings (services, small groups, Sunday School).

The rules are simple. Once the speaker calls out the scripture during any type of gathering, you have to beat everyone around you and get there first. There's no cheating in the race. You can't look ahead in the bulletin or curriculum to save your place. No one likes a cheater and it steals the thrill of the game away. Do you know who is the ultimate cheater? No, not Major League Baseball players. That's right, Satan.

There has been a change in the times.

It isn't surprising to see two people racing on their smart phones in "YouVersion" instead of with The Good Book.

Sometimes you'll even see a "Casey Jones" situation.

You'll see The Good Book go against a smart phone. The smart phone user has everything to lose in the situation. When they win, it's like the Miami Heat winning the title (everyone expects it). But when the person holding a The Good Book wins, it's a true David and Goliath story and calls for silent (but passionate) celebration.

You get nothing for winning, but the pride of knowing that you had the quicker draw. Oh, and there is the look of dismay and shame on the loser's face.

Have you ever engaged in the race?