First of all, it says in the bible, "Moses served in Pharoah's court." (Okay... a joke... but tennis really teaches us about life-- a biblical life.)
Life is filled with tests-- Tennis is filled with tests.
The essence of the test is a battle between what is right and what is wrong. Right footwork, right form, right shot for any given circumstance... Do it right, and you will (most likely) come out ahead.
Let temptation in-- to make a quick kill shot, to over-power your opponent, to underestimate your opponent, to get cute with a dropshot, to play outside your ability, and you will pay the price.
Forgiveness is a huge attribute of the game-- you MUST learn to forgive your own mistakes, and if you play doubles, you have to learn to forgive your partner. You are going to make errors (like sin)... you have to get past them.
The game scoring is forgiving. You could fall to temptation for a whole set-- get wiped out 6-0, and you still have an even chance to win the next two sets. The whole concept of duece-- getting there, renews the entire point. Everything is even once again-- it's like a fresh start.
Yet, God allows bad things to happen-- He will let you lose a point to teach you humility; He will teach you patience in long rallies; He will destroy your pride and force you to attain self-control.
It's a battle--- when you're tired, the temptation comes in=to do the wrong thing on the court-- wrong shot choice, wrong footwork, wrong serve, etc.
Your opponent might make bad calls you still need to be loving, understanding, and forgiving.
All sports teach lessons about life... but Tennis is premised on hard work, making right decisions in the face of temptation, and forgiveness.
Life is filled with tests-- Tennis is filled with tests.
The essence of the test is a battle between what is right and what is wrong. Right footwork, right form, right shot for any given circumstance... Do it right, and you will (most likely) come out ahead.
Let temptation in-- to make a quick kill shot, to over-power your opponent, to underestimate your opponent, to get cute with a dropshot, to play outside your ability, and you will pay the price.
Forgiveness is a huge attribute of the game-- you MUST learn to forgive your own mistakes, and if you play doubles, you have to learn to forgive your partner. You are going to make errors (like sin)... you have to get past them.
The game scoring is forgiving. You could fall to temptation for a whole set-- get wiped out 6-0, and you still have an even chance to win the next two sets. The whole concept of duece-- getting there, renews the entire point. Everything is even once again-- it's like a fresh start.
Yet, God allows bad things to happen-- He will let you lose a point to teach you humility; He will teach you patience in long rallies; He will destroy your pride and force you to attain self-control.
It's a battle--- when you're tired, the temptation comes in=to do the wrong thing on the court-- wrong shot choice, wrong footwork, wrong serve, etc.
Your opponent might make bad calls you still need to be loving, understanding, and forgiving.
All sports teach lessons about life... but Tennis is premised on hard work, making right decisions in the face of temptation, and forgiveness.
