The Sweet Spot of Serving

When I was a teenager, I played a match I’ll never forget. I’d drawn a top seed at a national tennis tournament. My opponent and I battled the purest match I’ve ever played before or since with points won on effort, not errors. Back and forth were the deuce-ads, neither of us willing to give up. When it was over, I was elated. I had never played that well. She and I hugged, drenched in perspiration. The score? 6-1, 6-1. (For her!) According to the score I had been crushed. It was strange to feel simultaneously exhilarated and embarrassed. 

Yet, God taught me a valuable lesson on serving – not aces, not others, but Him. God showed me that while I played, I respected her and her play (love and honor), and I intensely fought for every point (with diligence and fervent in sprit). Because of that, I served Him in that match. And on His scoreboard, I won.

In serving Him, I was in effect also serving my opponent, my teammates and the spectators. And just like the exhilarating feel of hitting the “sweet spot” for a blistering ace, perfectly disguised drop shot or winning point, I had discovered the sweet spot of serving my God. And no win could replace my elation.