I learned an important tennis lesson yesterday, one that equally applies to life and one that I should have learned many times before: “Don’t underestimate your opponent.”
The story line is so simple. I arrived at the courts with a touch of arrogance after some very good play and practice, and did a cursory glance at and frivolous assessment of my opponents. The play was slow—maddeningly slow; my responses were overly aggressive and my mindset was to dominate and destroy. I would marvel at the precision of my shots until confronted with the reality that they were returned and out of my reach.
Beyond the tennis courts and on a supreme level, we face a great opponent everyday of our life, one that seeks to destroy us completely. For this reason, this opponent cannot be underestimated.
It is Satan or whatever name you choose for the opponent of Christ. Satan is crafty and subtle, like a deftly placed drop shot. He poses as a coach but drills us only in false promises. His stamina is limitless and his pursuit of victory over us is without end.
With only our own resources, we are powerless against Satan. But life is a doubles match, our partner is Christ, and our victory has been won, though we are still in the midst of the battle. Don’t underestimate Christ.
One of Satan’s tactics is to create false gods to replace our one true God. Read Destroy These False Gods: 101 False Gods to Destroy Before They Destroy You.
About the photo: Liz Simmons and Zovita Moon were fast-tracked straight to the over-85s 2023 Wimbledon finals CREDIT: Tony Kershaw/SWNS
