Getting to the top of tennis requires an obsessive spirit. The road to the top is littered with players who have been hopelessly crushed in their relentless pursuit to reach the top. How do you channel your desire and drive to become the best? I have met ten's of thousand's of players as a coach. It is very common for a coach to see players of all levels become obsessive with tennis. In fact the coach may even be obsessive with producing players. We recognize this from several traits.
"Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize." 1 Corinthians 9:24-27 (NIV)In 1986 I attended a discipleship-training course for the purpose of strengthening my understanding of a Christian life, my knowledge of the Bible, and to mold my thoughts and actions to conform to a lifestyle of a follower of Christ. I was asked what do you love the most? I mentioned tennis. Actually now my priorities have changed and I will say God, my family and tennis. God is the glue that pulled it all together. During the first week all of the students were asked five questions to assist us in knowing each other. My classmates numbered 74 from over 24 nations and we had people from all walks of life including ministers, businessmen, retired people, a judge, a bus driver, housewives to name a few. We sat in a large circle and each person was asked to answer a series of questions including this one. "What one person or thing, living or nonliving, do you love the most in life?" The answers were astounding. Most responded with a family member. However, another half told a different story. Several mentioned pets, many material items like a house or a car, several their jobs and I mentioned tennis. The saddest part of all was that a few could not mention any thing or person that they loved.
It is only natural for us to look at others and see them through our eyes. We assume that they have feelings or thoughts similar to ours. Actually they could be looking at love from a completely different viewpoint than yours. If you wish to know them to share the good news of Jesus Christ, their viewpoint of love and therefore the love of Jesus Christ may be different than yours. Several years ago I assisted in a ministry that counsels professional football and baseball players and their families. A famous baseball player's wife was sexually abused as a teenager from a family member. Many years later it took a correct understanding of Jesus Christ for her to understand the real nature of love. She is now sharing the love of the Lord with others in similar circumstances and her marriage reflects this love.
As I close this message, I would like to remind you that love comes in my different packages. Just as a present is presented in different ways love can be in many forms. Tennis, homes, cars, family, relationships can bring a great joy and love to your life, However it is the giver of these gifts that is the true message of love. Jesus Christ is the giver and the messenger of a perfect love that will set you on a correct path to understanding the joys of life. Combine your love of Jesus Christ with your love of tennis and you will find that this love is greater than what you have now.
"As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love, just as I have obeyed my Father's commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:9-13 (NIV)Rev. Bob Kraft