Staying Within The Lines

Before Venus and Serena Williams became well known, their father was watching TV one day and saw the awards ceremony for a Tennis match. As the story goes, at that moment when he saw how much money tennis players made, he decided that his daughters would play tennis.  And play tennis they did as they have continued to reap the rewards of this sport. It was not an easy choice but a worthwhile choice.

In order to play tennis, you have to know the rules. One of the most important rules of the game is to keep the ball within the lines - keep the ball in. Within the lines, you can hit the ball as hard as you want or as soft as you wish, you can be loud or you can be soft, you can have a beautiful backhand or look clumsy making a shot. It doesn't matter as long as the ball remains within the lines. Of course, there are rules that govern behavior - profane or obscene comments immediately incur a point penalty, as does misconduct or unsportsmanlike behavior such as smashing your racket or threatening a linesperson. A tennis court is 78 feet long and  27 feet wide for singles matches; 36 feet for doubles matches. This court is straight and narrow and yet it is worthwhile to make the effort of staying within the lines. Though there are constraints, which are in place for the effectiveness of the game, there is freedom within the lines.

Staying within the lines is so important that the Hawkeye system was created. If a call is questionable, Hawkeye determines if the ball was in or out and the player has to accept Hawkeye's determination. Hawkeye has the final word.

I have never heard a tennis player say, "I wish I could hit the ball outside the lines or anywhere I want." This would be a pointless statement. Playing the game well by the rules gives each player the potential to reap huge rewards.

As Christians God tells us to stay within the lines with our actions, our words, our thoughts. He says it's worth it. He said, you're not constricted as a matter of fact you're free. And the Holy Spirit as He speaks through the Word is our Hawkeye!

You may be tentative about this Christian life or about becoming a Christian. But if you liken the Christian walk to the game of tennis and choose to play, it will be the most rewarding game you have ever played. If you think being a Christian is boring, look at a tennis player - they are anything but bored. They are playing for a worthwhile reward as is a Christian who reaps rewards here on Earth - peace, power, love, abundance, wisdom, assurance (this is a short list), and for eternity. Ephesians 1:3-12

You can enter God’s Kingdom only through the narrow gate. The highway to hell is broad, and its gate is wide for the many who choose that way. But the gateway to life is very narrow and the road is difficult, and only a few ever find it. Matthew 7:13-14

Are you in the game? Are you willing to make the sacrifices for the rewards of the game?

--Nylse

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Equipped

I joined the Track Team on a whim. I had just started HS and I felt lost and confused. The school I attended was not your typical High School - it was a specialized HS; only the talented and smart attended. On the first day I did not feel like any of these so when the announcement was made that the track team needed runners, I thought - I can do that, and that is how I started running. I had no idea what I had signed up for, but I quickly learned.

Every sport requires equipment and Track is no different. I did not come from a family of means so initially I ran in my skippies. I started to get shin splints and the coach informed me that I would need proper running shoes which would provide support. So, knowing no better at the time and having limited resources, we went to Bobby's (how many of you remember or heard of Bobby's?) and purchased my first pair of running sneakers. To my mind's eye, they looked like track shoes and they had better support than my skippies. If I was to have any success in this sport, I had to invest in the proper equipment. Eventually I was able to purchase proper running shoes and other accessories.

Today, I would consider myself a jogger. Running without the proper equipment is a recipe for failure. Like me you may have an abundance of cotton t-shirts. However, if you run in cotton t-shirts you sweat so much more and cotton doesn't absorb the sweat; after a while you become cold. The fabric makes a difference.  Shoes make a difference. A cap makes a difference. A hydration belt makes a difference. Many of these items are not cheap, but they're an investment that's worth it over the long haul.

Knowing what I know now, it's silly to go for run in the wrong equipment.

Yet, so many of us in our Christian life do not take the time and effort to prepare ourselves for what's ahead. We don't invest the time or the effort, and then we wonder why we are not able to handle what comes our way. We are to put on the whole armor so that we can stand against the wiles of the devil. We think we don't need to, or we can figure this out on our own.  Just as I would never go running without the proper equipment, on a daily basis, I do not start my day unless I'm spiritually prepared.
On a daily basis, put on your equipment (armor):

• Belt of truth
• Breastplate of righteousness
• Shield of faith
• Helmet of salvation
• Sword of the Spirit
• Pray

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 

Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. Ephesians 6:10-18 (NIV)
Are you equipped? Do you prepare yourself daily? How have you invested in your Christian walk?