I Corinthians 13
By Pastor Libby
Coaching Tennis: Love-Forty
I have never been a great athlete, so it was with some surprise that I found myself as the 7th grade tennis coach at Jefferson Jr. High School. I remember vaguely answering on my interview that I had played a “little” tennis …period, end of story. “Little” as in gym class and weekend “there’s nothing else to do…” matches.
When I received my coaching assignment, I knew that “little” wasn’t going to cut it with the students.
I suppose part of the reason I bring up my less than sterling coaching career is that in tennis the term love, means zero. As we love as Christ intends for us to love, we become less while others around us become more; more fulfilled, more loving themselves, more likely to see that what we do doesn’t stem from vain ambition or brownie points but true Christ-giving, sacrificial love.
When Paul writes of love in I Corinthians 13, this descriptive and memorable chapter points out to me that love has to be passionately lived; you can’t just have a “little” love. If you have the gift of tongues but no love; so what! No one is impressed. If you can prophecy, but have no love; who cares? It’s a wasted effort. If you have the faith of Moses but can’t love like it matters; big deal! It all pales in comparison. If you can play tennis like Andre Agassi but show no love, I’m not sure I want you playing with me.
So, what did I do with those kids who were on the 7th grade tennis team? I leveled with them from the very beginning of the season and told them that I was no tennis pro. Then together we worked on the basics of tennis; watched technique videos, got out on the court every chance we
could, and I loved them and encouraged them through the whole process. Love helped make up for a wealth of nonexistent experience.
Can love be learned? I think so, and as we love as Christ loves, I believe that the rest will fall into place. So, it’s now your serve. Is there any place in your life that love needs to be self evident, not just a “little” but a lot?
“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.”
Click here to read I Corinthians 13
