Don't let up until you win

I’ve learned a lot about not letting up your effort until you win from playing tennis.

Last winter, in a local tennis tournament, I was ahead 5-1. One more game and I’d be the winner. Suddenly, my game fell apart. I lost game after game until my opponent pulled ahead and won 7-5.

I asked myself “Why?” How could I go from doing so well to losing so quickly?

I’ve watched my performance in other games since then and have come to a simple conclusion. I lose when I should win, because I let up on my game. Thinking victory is right around the corner, I relax a bit, and that tidbit of letting my guard down is the difference between winning and losing.

I’ve noticed the difference in thought that leads to winning versus losing can be miniscule. It can be barely noticeable. But a little itsy-bitsy less alertness, a smidgen less awareness, a tad less readiness can result in a miss-hit that otherwise might have won the match.

The same rule works in metaphysics. We must never let our guard down in prayer until the victory is cinched.

Mortal mind would act like an opponent on the other side of the net who keeps playing, and vigorously so, until the game is done. If we relax mid-game and assume a victory when we have not earned it yet, the opponent may pull ahead and take advantage of our dullness and laxness. Don’t let it happen. Stay alert. Stay at your best. Stay at your peak performance until the deciding point has been played out and the final game is finished.

“Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.” (I Cor 9:24).