Passion Doesn't Sit on Courtside

Took part in my first tennis tournament last night. Played three matches, lost all three in straight love and won only one game. Nevertheless, I did not feel defeated nor felt like a loser for one moment. How do I mean? It was because I chose to take part in the tournament. I was initially hesitant about playing in the tournament because I did not feel comfortable competing without having sufficient time to prepare for it. Taking into consideration that I would have less than two weeks to get ready after my trip. However, something made me change my mind.

A few days after I had returned from my trip, my friend asked me if I was still keen to take part in the mixed doubles with him. He gave me 24 hours to think about it. I think it took me less than 24 minutes to make up my mind. The first thing that came to my mind was, "Here's my second chance!". The second was my love for the game. I love tennis. Period. Don't ask me what I love about tennis, I just love it! It makes me come alive. It engages me totally and when the rhythm falls into place, I feel tennis coursing through my veins, my heart beats to the rhythm of the ball bouncing off the sweet spot of the racket.

That's how I figured "passion doesn't sit on courtside." If I truly love the game, I couldn't just sit at the courtside and observe while others play. I had to get involved, I had to give myself a chance to be on the court as a player. Give myself a chance to be a part of what I am passionate about. So, I said, "Yes." And I remembered that he asked me if I was firm about it as there would not be any discount given for registration fees. I had earlier jokingly mentioned to him that I would sign up for the tournament if the organisers would give me a fifty percent discount. Ha-ha, no harm trying.

So, there I was, a little nervous at first as I did not know what to expect but that was all too soon forgotten when I stepped on court to warm up for the first match. And things just picked up from there. Rhythm, focus, learning how to play different opponents, learning to work with my doubles partner given that it was our first time partnering each other. Before we knew it, we began to enjoy the game. Even when the final match point for the night was lost, my partner and I never felt better. We were smiling. Our spirits were high. I reckon the matches affirmed the spirit of our partnership more than the scores could justify. At the end of the tournament, we were more one in the spirit of the game than before we started.

Perhaps in a similar way, explains why God came near. Why He became one of us. Why Jesus chose to die for the wrongs he never committed. Why he was willing to bear the humiliation of being mistaken for a criminal; the excruciating pain of being flogged thirty-nine times by a deadly iron-clawed Roman whip; being estranged from his Father - the only one who ever loved him unconditionally with a holy love; coming face to face with the full stench of hideous sins, utmost shame, deep sorrows, haunting fears, grave hopelessness, and the incredible pain of being separated from loved ones; all these that we may have life, not just abundant life while we are in the world, but through our reconciliation with God, spend our eternity with Him who loves us enough to die in our place. Love gets involved. Period.

"This is how much God loved the world: He gave his Son, his one and only Son. And this is why: so that no one need be destroyed; by believing in him, anyone can have a whole and lasting life. God didn't go to all the trouble of sending his Son merely to point an accusing finger, telling the world how bad it was. He came to help, to put the world right again. Anyone who trusts in him is acquitted; anyone who refuses to trust him has long since been under the death sentence without knowing it. And why? Because of that person's failure to believe in the one-of-a-kind Son of God when introduced to him. John 3:16-18 The Message.

He came because he loves us. He took our place on the cross because love makes sacrifices. He still speaks to the world that shows no interest in Him because He understands we couldn't help the way we are but we do have the freedom to choose. Freedom to choose between neglecting Him or acknowledging Him. Freedom to choose between participating in life or watching it go by. Freedom to choose between taking risks for Him or staying with the routine. Last but not the least, freedom to make life work or remain stuck in the rut. Life is a choice. A friend has taught me that when a couple exchange marriage vows, it's not just about "I do" before the witnesses but "I will till death do us part". "I will when no one is watching". "I will in spite of......."I will even if.......", it's just "I will".

Billie Jean King, a great tennis player now probably in her 60s, said, "Champions keep playing till they get it right". In tennis as in life, we win some, we lose some. At the end of the day, when our time comes to meet Him face to face, can we honestly say that, "we tried in spite of......"; when we say "we do", do we mean "we will"?

Can I? Will I?
Sv ".+