Living Life by Design

Back in the mid 1970’s there was a tennis boom happening. Players like Jimmy Connors and John McEnroe turned the gentile, and refined sport into something entertaining and exciting to watch. 

I lived in San Bernardino where it was not uncommon for local tennis tournaments to have 600 entries. Players from all over the country came to play our sanctioned open. One year, I had a match scheduled at Cal State San Bernardino (matches were played at the Country Club, Valley College, public parks and all the high schools). I was warming up with my doubles partner and a guy came over and asked if he could warm up with us. The player was tall, thin and there was something about him that just screamed confidence. He had an aura about him that was very noticeable. I just couldn’t say no so I invited him to join us.

As we warmed up his ball was slow but consistent. I thought to myself, ‘this guy is a ‘B’ player and he’s going to get blown away in the first round.’ After the warm up we made our way to the desk for our first round court assignments. My match happened to be next to the ‘B’ player I warmed up with. As our matches began, I could hardly take my eyes off the match next to me. This guy was hitting serves over 110 mph. Every time he came to the net, he won the point. This guy was an absolute monster on the court. His name was Warrick Jones, the #1 seed. He eventually won the tournament without dropping a set.

I’ve heard it said that holiness is most powerful influence in the world next to the power of God. Holiness is attractive but it has nothing to do with outward beauty. It radiates from within. This is the way the world will be changed. It starts with you and me. Saint Francis of Assisi said, “Sanctify yourself and you will sanctify society.”

Holiness in our lives should never be an optional extra. It is not just for saints and special Christians. It should be something we all aspire to in this life.

When was the last time someone noticed there was something ‘different’ about you?