You can’t improve without practice. I actually enjoy practice as much as playing. Even just hitting the ball feels good, whether alone, with a ball machine, or with a practice partner.
Of course, the type of practice is important and distinguishes itself from mere aimless swatting. A coach, filming, and watching videos are all valuable. Think of this as your tennis workshop.
There is another workshop that helps us prepare for, endure as necessary, and win at life. It is God’s workshop. It is where we prepare ourselves for trials as yet unknown. It is the workshop of prayer, study, rest and reflection. It is the armory of the mind.
The Old Testament has an endearing expression for this type of study. “Under the fig tree” was a classic OT allusion to rest, shade from the sun, and a time to study. Being under the fig tree means preparing ourselves for the tasks and trials that will come. We find this expression in John 1:48
Nathaniel asked him, “How do you know me?”
Jesus answered him, “Before Philip called you, while you were under the fig tree, I saw you.”
International Standard Version
So, go out and practice, keeping in mind the different workshops you may attend.
Photo by Richard Sagredo on Unsplash
