The Serve and the Return; without these the game cannot be played. As it is with tennis, again, so it is with life. The game of tennis does not begin without the serve. Before every match is played a coin is tossed, a racquet is spun, in order to determine who will “serve” first. Once that little ceremony is completed, its game on!
I have a sneaking suspicion that many of us have had the uneasy feeling that we are just going through the motions in our daily lives. Whether we have happened upon success, lived a life of a middle-class American, or if we have struggled from day to day, this sense of “What is this about?” can pervade our lives. And so it is, the search for significance is central to our living the kind of life we were meant to live. Without a sense of service and return, however, we cannot find that place, the game never starts, and the thrill of living the drama does not fill our souls.
Andy Roddick, the American tennis super-star, is known for his incredibly powerful serve. When he is hitting his serve with precision, he is nearly impossible to beat. And it is in those moments that Andy finds his greatest pleasure and sense of being on the court. That place, for tennis players, is called “the zone”. Those who know the game well would be quick to admit that without his overpowering serve, Andy may not have found his way to the top of the tennis world. Just as Andy needs his serve for greatest success on the court, and just as the game of tennis does not begin without someone serving, our lives do not begin to take on that longed for sense of significance we crave, until and unless we are ready to “serve”.
It has been proven by many studies that the current generation of young people is looking for a place in life through serving. Churches that are growing and those which are reaching young adults have found that the degree to which they are relevant depends largely upon the serving opportunities afforded to young church-goers. It would appear, from many studies, that rather than the American Dream being the chief ideal in many people’s lives, it’s a sense of being significant that matters most. Most people just don’t know how to find this sense of purpose and don’t know what is missing. Our culture tends to persuade us that “more” is the answer, but fewer and fewer people are finding this a satisfying message.
That brings us to the serve. Serving, more than acquisition, pleasure, or a pain-free existence, is what satisfies our hunger most. If our lives are to be significant, we must be pursuing agendas which lead to the betterment of others. I can tell you firsthand that no amount of success or stuff can quiet the hunger to know that our lives matter. Further, our lives only matter when they are contributing to the lives of others.
Are you wondering where your sense of purpose will be found? Then get your serve on. Find a place in the world, in your community, in a cause, … and put your heart, mind, soul, and resources into it. Once your serve becomes effective and regularly effective, like a high octane tennis serve, you will find a greater sense of being on the court of life. When you have found that your title or bank account does not satisfy, throw your efforts into satisfying the needs of others and watch your spirit soar.
The Return; without one you are not even in the point. Equally central to the game of tennis is the Return. Once Andy Roddick hits that furious blast from above, the guy on the other side must have the ability to hit the first ball back. That part of the game is called the service Return. Without one, you don’t get in the point, and you can’t win.
Andre Agassi was known as one of the best “return” guys to ever play the game. His return of serve was compact, precise, potent, and very consistent. Because he could return nearly any serve, and with sharp aim, he was able to stay at the top of the game for decades. He could beat the big boys because he was always in the point. And so it is, again, with our lives. It is easy, especially in our culture, to be enamored with the thirst for more. More, we are told day in and day out, is the key to fulfillment. More sex, more money, more beer, more cars, more homes, more travel, more entertainment, more parties, more me, more, more, more… The problem is, more never seems to be enough. The more we get the more we crave, and ultimately our lives become nothing more than a furious, confused, and destructive quest for more. More of what? We are not sure. We just know we need more!
As is the case with service, so it goes with or “return” game. In fact, as in tennis, the two are inseparable parts of the game. Both are needed for the game to go on, and both must be effective and consistent weapons on the court if a player is to be a champion. This is true of our lives. Just as we must serve others to find ourselves, likewise, we must be looking for opportunities to “return” our gifts to the world. Were you given a great mind? Then use it to make a difference in the lives of those who could benefit. Are you a money maker? Then make more and give more, and invest more in the betterment of this world. Don’t just build and buy more stuff. Do something. Are you a gifted artist? Why not use your gifts to lift this world to see the amazing beauty and wonder which God has offered us?
The point is simple; in order to find that place of purpose, give back, return to the world those gifts God has given you. Are you able to lead?
Leader others toward a life of significance and virtue. Are you able to speak and enthrall people with your words? Return that gift of speech to the world and offer us something we desperately need: words of truth. Are you able to make heart tugging movies and videos? Why not give your gifts, return your gifts to God and move the world toward goodness? Are you immensely talented as a musician? Give God your gifts, and allow Him to bring a return on the skills He has given you. Are you and actor? Act like your acting matters. It does. It can make a difference. It does make a difference one way or another.
If you are saying, “Well, I cannot change the world through my little gift or skill.”, think again. As the proverb says, “He who changes one life, changes the world entire.” You may make a movie for the world to see or you may give back your gift in a local church making videos which lift others weekly. You may sing before millions or you may simply return your gift in the local community. You may sell your art for thousands or you may use your art in a worship service and see someone’s life totally altered because you returned your ability to the place God intended it. If your life has been missing that sense of purpose and fulfillment, get your serve on, and return your gifts to God and to the world. A strong serve and a winning return, like in the game of tennis, are a winning pair in the game of life. Let’s do it.
Grace and Peace,
Bruce Smith
soulstormsite.com
optimuslife.org