“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift —  not from works, so that no one can boast.”
‭‭Ephesians‬ ‭2‬:‭8‬-‭9‬ ‭CSB‬‬

I just played a tennis match for a singles ladder. It’s a new singles ladder so we are all still figuring out where we fit in the list of names. Eventually the names at the top will be the best players, the ones who win more often. The names near the bottom will be less skilled players who lose more often.

Once that is settled, I’ll be able to challenge anyone a name or two above me, knowing I will have a competitive match, and move above them if I win. And anyone a name or two below me can challenge me, hoping to move up.

A singles tennis ladder is a fun and easy way to play a variety of people but also ensure my opponents skills are relatively equal to mine.

But because it is a hierarchical list of names, available to public scrutiny, there are bragging rights when someone ends up on top and bruised egos when someone gets bumped down.

In my match today, I happened to win. But it was very close. It could have gone either way. I made a couple fewer errors than my opponent and a few more winners. I guess I could boast about my win, and my name will move up the ladder making me look good.

But since it was such a close match I don’t feel much like boasting. Today’s verse made me think of this feeling I have because Paul is reminding me that I did nothing to earn my spot in God’s list of names.

To be in God’s Book of Life, I need to be perfect. I am not. And yet my name is in there. I am playing a terrible game of life. I’m making error after error, and yet the Great Referee in the Sky keeps calling my balls in. Is He blind? No, He just loves me so much that He forgives my mistakes and turns them into winners.

And the miracle of God is that everyone can be a winner at this game. He doesn’t want any losers, and there don’t have to be! That’s definitely not possible in my singles ladder. Somehow, if I appeal to the Referee in God’s rigged game, He will accept my remorse and reverse the call. I can win, but I definitely can’t boast about it.

Dear God,

Thank you so much for rigging the game in my favor! And for rigging it somehow in favor of anyone who appeals to you. I know I did nothing to earn this win. My errors are glaring and frequent. I am so grateful that you are my generous and loving referee. Teach me everyday how to cut down on my errors and improve my strokes.