I just got done losing two tennis matches, two days in a row. I was playing in a national tennis tournament organized by a friend of mine at my local club. It was an “open” tournament, meaning any level player can play any other level player. It is organized by age group instead of skill level. I tend not to enter these types of tournaments because I am a mid-level player and am always out-matched by higher-level players who travel great distances expecting to win. You don’t travel for a tournament like this unless you have a really good shot at doing well.

But my friend needed to fill out a category of players so I agreed to play doubles with another friend who is also a mid-level player.

We didn’t expect to win. And, as predicted, we lost both our first match and the consolation round match.

Since I wasn’t expecting to win, you’d think these losses wouldn’t bother me. And yet I was grumpy, angry, and frustrated, and I’m ashamed to say, it showed.

Why?

I guess the answer is that I want to impress people and have them say “wow” when I play. I don’t want them to turn away in disappointment. I don’t want to hear consoling words from my opponents. It is sheer pride, plain and simple, that keeps me from enjoying these lop-sided matches.

“Obviously, I’m not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ’s servant.” (Galatians‬ ‭1‬:‭10,‬ ‭NLT‬‬)

When I read this verse today, I realized how wrong my attitude was when heading into these matches. My pride’s goal was to impress other people which meant playing well and winning. Which led to my anger and gloom when I failed.

Instead, my goal should have been to impress God.

God isn’t impressed by my physical abilities or tennis skills. God is impressed instead by how well I love other people. Did I treat my opponents with respect and kindness? Did I show genuine appreciation for their skills and congratulate them appropriately when they won?

Did I help my partner enjoy her time playing? Did I encourage her and do my best to play well to increase her enjoyment, instead of my status?

These goals are very doable. The Holy Spirit is on my team making it possible. I can avoid the agony of defeat.

I realize I need to rework my attitude when I step out into the world for any reason. Victory is mine when God is the only one I aim to impress.

Dear God, thank you for the beautiful day to play tennis with my friend. Thank you that my body is healthy enough and that I have time to play tennis in the middle of a weekday. Please forgive me for my misguided priorities. Remind me to seek your approval above any other. Yours is the only opinion that matters.