Living Life by Design

Power is an interesting word. It can have so many different meanings but one thing is for certain. Everyone wants it.

When I first picked up a tennis racquet, I wanted a power game like Jimmy Connors. I went to the library and looked through tennis magazines trying to find pictures of the, “Brash Basher from Belleville.” I studied those pictures and patterned my game after his. For hours I would hit balls against any wall I could find. I improved very quickly. 

I had gotten some attention locally when I started playing tournaments. I remember having the opportunity to play the top player in Riverside at the time, Marty Montigal. This was the first of numerous battles we would eventually have. He was a very consistent baseliner, but I was very confident that he wouldn’t be able to handle my power and I would, “blow him off the court.” We played a 10 game pro-set, and he won 10-0. So much for my power game…lol.

I lost to Marty two more times before a friend (Steve Cluse) came up me and asked if I wanted to beat Marty. I said, “of course I do.” Steve said to quit hitting the ball hard, and at every opportunity push the ball to his forehand and come to the net. It was as simple as that. To beat Marty I would mentally have to surrender my power game. Reluctantly, I did just that at our next meeting. I won in straight sets and never lost a match to him after.

Real power doesn’t come from how hard or well you hit a tennis ball. It does not come from ones position, wealth, title or circumstances in life. In Ephesians 3, Paul describes himself as a prisoner (v.1). It (power) doesn’t come from human greatness. Paul writes, ‘I am less than the least of all God’s people’ (v.8). Power doesn’t come from lording over people. Paul writes, ‘I became a servant’ (v.7). Rather, it comes from the message of the gospel, that Paul described in this passage. The gospel is ‘the power of God’ for the salvation of everyone who believes (Romans 1:16).

Real power and authority can only come from one place…God. Until you receive Christ as Lord and Savior, and receive the Holy Spirit, life will be a constant battle for supremacy over your heart. 

Real power begins with surrender…