Living Life by Design

I have to admit, I have a very unique tennis game. I patterned it after Jimmy Connors, one of the fiercest competitors to ever play the game. He’s the reason I fell in love with tennis and the reason I remain competitive with guys half my age. I play a style that went out of fashion when Connors finally stopped playing. I hit the ball hard and flat…on both sides (forehand & backhand). I am always pressing to move forward and would rather give blood than a point. Jimmy was kind enough to comment on one of my Twitter posts. It was a picture of me playing with his namesake racquet, a Wilson T-2000. He said, “Yes sir! You got game.”

There is great power in example. It is hard to improve if we have no other model than ourselves to follow. A good example is not only inspirational, it also gives us a pattern to copy and learn from.

Not only do you benefit most from following the example of others, but your example is vital if you are to have any influence on other people. Jimmy Connors’ example and influence lead to a love of tennis that has lasted for 45 years. Albert Schweitzer, the French theologian, philosopher and physician said, ‘Example is not the main thing in influencing others – it is the only thing.’ More depends on your walk than on your talk, what you practice than what you preach, what you do than what you say.

What people see is far more important than what they hear. People do what people see. As John Maxwell writes, ‘Eighty-nine per cent of what people learn comes through visual stimulation; ten per cent through audible stimulation and one per cent through other senses… What they hear they understand. What they see they believe!’

As Christian’s, we are called to follow Jesus’ example in our lives (1 Peter 2:21). About the same time I picked up a tennis racquet, I surrendered my like to Jesus. I’ve walked with Christ and done my best to live his example. I won’t know the lives I’ve influenced until I stand before God and he shows me who’s in heaven because of my faithfulness. 

Who will you influence today?