Tennis Ambassadors Christian Ministry newsletter February 1, 1999

Love to Serve News February 1, 1999

Did you know that most top tennis players or teams have more than one coach working for them in the following areas:

stoke technique
psychological training
physical training
nutrition
friendship support?

Let’s pretend that the Holy Trinity, God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit are working as your team. They are known as the three in one. To assist you in understanding their roles in your development, I will give each one the specific areas in your development. God has known you since before your birth, understands your motivations and has set rules for you to follow. Jesus Christ is a coach that you are best friends with, watches you daily and you follow his example. The Holy Spirit works with you at all times on your mental preparation and goals, and teaches you desire both on and off the court. What would they see in you and what would they change? This is an interesting way of looking at what we know of, as three coaches working as one on your behalf.

First let’s look at areas that every successful coach possesses.

A good coach has a very good understanding of what motivates a player, and why their students are playing tennis.
They can encourage the correct techniques at the proper stage of development.
They understand true potential, even if the student does not.
They can mold a student both physically and psychologically to their highest level of potential.
At times they can be disappointed or upset with students, but they will offer more positive than negative feedback.
They have an understanding and experience to know how to help students progress from one level to the next level of the game.
In fact, a coach that can take a student from beginner to advanced level receives my vote as a top coach. What does the Trinity of coaches have to do with all of this? Well, they can do all this and even more for you.

The Trinity has told us through the Bible that they know you even better than yourself.

For God is greater than our (your) hearts, and he knows everything. I John 3:20

The Trinity will mold you in your development.

Yet, O LORD, you are our Father. We are the clay, you are the potter; we are all the work of your hand. Isaiah 64:8

The Trinity will shape you both physically and mentally.

Since we have these promises, dear friends, let us purify ourselves from everything that contaminates body and spirit, perfecting holiness out of reverence for God. 2 Corinthians 7:1

The Trinity has the perfect plan for life and will chose the right technique at the right time.

Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6

The Trinity knows how to correct you and disciple you.

For his (God) anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. Psalms 30:5

The Trinity knows how to cause you to grow as a person and as a player.

So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things (you) grow. 1 Corinthians 3:7

God's plan for you may not be what you would expect but it will be the best plan for you.

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him" 1 Corinthians 2:9

It will be even more than you can imagine, if you put trust under his wise and faithful coaching.

Rev. Bob Kraft