The Competition Trap
The Mitsubishi 3000GT was a fantastic Japanese GT, but it had three major problems: the Mazda RX-7, the Nissan 300ZX, and the Toyota Supra. It is just impossible to mention the 3000GT without the three other cars that are arguably better.
By itself, it’s great. “Big, flashy, fast, and complex” were the four words used to describe it in 1993 by Road & Track’s Kim Reynolds. But it’s always in competition mode against its Japanese peers, from showroom sales in the ‘90s to fierce internet debates in the ‘00s to collector car auctions today (where the Supra is dominating everything else, if you haven’t noticed).
Most people are always in competition mode, too. Without market competition, your employer couldn’t provide you with income – which you need for, you know, survival – and probably health insurance too. There’s social competition, marked by well-manicured lawns (or nails), and if you’re dating, you’re just as sexually competitive as some whooping primates on a Nat Geo special.
It’s exhausting. So here’s how Jesus handled competition, when he chose to eat a Sabbath meal “in the house of a prominent Pharisee,” where he was “being carefully watched” by people who constantly tried to compete with him:
“But when you are invited [to a wedding feast], take the lowest place, so that when your host comes, he will say to you, ‘Friend, move up to a better place.’ Then you will be honored in the presence of all your fellow guests. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.’” (Luke 14:10-11)
In the presence of his competition, Jesus taught about competition so all of humankind can learn that most competition ends without a meaningful reward. But the way Jesus demonstrated this lesson is beautiful. Here, imitate this:
Find something good you have in common with your competition. For Jesus, it was desiring praise and honor. Jesus wants that, so did those Pharisees, so do you, so does your competition, and that’s okay. Jesus affirmed this desire and used it as an empathic bridge between himself and the Pharisees. So, go on, find a good thing you have in common with someone you don’t like.
Find something bad you have in common with your competition. Well, Jesus was sinless, but at times he closely felt the desire to exalt himself apart from God’s intended plan. Meanwhile, most people cave to this desire and act on it. This includes the Pharisees and, again, you and your competition.
Dwell on God-given teaching about competition. Jesus was likely thinking of examples throughout history where self-exaltation backfired, and God instead taught a practice of humility (see 2 Chronicles 7:14-15). You may not get the chance to teach humility to your competition, but try demonstrating it and see what happens.
The Mitsubishi 3000GT is a car and doesn’t have feelings (although it has no shortage of sensors), but it actually has a lot in common, good and bad, with its rivals. So do you. So put that competitive energy to work and find a way to get along.
Built from 1991-1999, the 3000GT had 300-320 horsepower, twin intercoolers, 17- or 18-inch wheels, adjustable suspension and exhaust, four-wheel steering, all-wheel drive, active aero, a CD changer, and optional chrome wheels. It rang in at $40,900 or so (or the cost of four 92-horsepower Mitsubishi Mirage coupes) and hit 60 mph just 0.1 second slower than a $117,000 Ferrari. They’ve been cheap used cars for years, but one day you may find yourself competing for one. Remember, even then, to find ways to get along.
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