Every now and then I find myself envious of someone or just simply admiring them. I don't do this too frequently and it has become a habit to stop and take notice of why my heart is reacting in this way, when I do. I have been watching the tennis over the last few weeks and Ash Barty has been on a winning streak in Adelaide. I really admire her for it, and so I stopped to ask myself why.
My answer to myself (some of it came from her post - match interview) was that she is focused, generally relaxed, determined to have fun, she trusts fully in her team and herself, and she sees the whole journey as a learning and growing experience. The other day the interviewer asked what was going through her mind at a critical point in the match and she apologised for having her game face on and changed the topic to something else. Whilst remaining honouring and humble, she kept the conversational ball in the court on her terms..... Which is what she does with her tennis too! She has the breadth of skill, the patience (with herself and with the game), the plan and she knows when to lift her game a little. I imagine on the practice court, she has the discipline, the ability to listen to others and her own body, and the communication skills to go with it.
It is great to see some Aussies do well and it would be amazing to see her win the Australian Open coming up. She seems in great form.
January is also the beginning of New Years resolutions and a time to take the bull by the horns so to speak. I have a friend who is drawing a picture daily and posting it on Facebook (I imagine for accountability) which I also admire, and I am back to a 2 month weight loss thing - which I know I can do, but I am not particularly excited about it, and I won't mention today's calories - I am only 3 days in!! I am not expecting my friend's drawings on Facebook to last too long, but you never know.
I would really like my weight loss endeavours to result in some permanent habit changes. Like Ash Barty, I am committed to the long haul game and to quietly going about my business in an honouring and humble way. And I want it to be fun in the process (Chocolate is an important part of my diet!).
Life is a game, a journey of hills and valleys, and like Ash, we get to choose where we focus and how we go about our business. I am acutely aware that I can't do life on my own; I need God and I need others. My perspective needs to be right, my focus needs to be sharp and my game face needs to be on in certain situations. I need to know what matters most and where I need to invest my time when no-one else is watching. My heart needs to be anchored in the right place. I need to have fun and I need to listen intently to others, to God (that still small voice) and to my heart and body. It is all easier said than done, but it is good to think about....
So I can learn some life lessons from tennis.
Hebrews 12: 1-3
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Philippians 3: 10-14
I want to know Christ—yes, to know the power of his resurrection and participation in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, attaining to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Verse 10 of the Philippians verse is also a cry of my heart. I want to know Christ - yes, to know the power of his resurrection and to participate in his sufferings. This was a verse preached by someone years ago - who then had an alter call - and I was the only person to go down.... maybe I am crazy, as I am not sure I really want to know his sufferings... but there was definitely something on the whole thing that day.
And so we press on. I think I need to remind myself that the small decisions and the way we go about our business really does matter, even in the face of Corona virus lockdowns, and the mundane routines of day to day life. There is nothing like knowing God. Once tasted, it is so sweet and nothing else really matters. Jesus has captured my heart and my imagination and sometimes it feels a little surreal, but I will leave what is behind and press on to the prize to which I have been called. Whatever that looks like and whatever the cost is to what He calls me to. Today, I pray for grace and focus for what is in front of me. And a bit of fun in the process.
Game on!
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