To Beat or Imitate

To Beat or Imitate

When the name Roger Federer is mentioned, the world of Tennis is at a stand still; 12 Grand Slam titles and on the verge of breaking Pete Sampras’ record of 14 titles; what is even more unsettling is that he is only 25 and he intends to play the game for at least 10 more years. He has been ranked No. 1 in the world since February 2, 2004, and currently maintains that position for 188 consecutive weeks (as of 9/9/07), the longest of any player - male or female.

The most fascinating thing about his dominance on the court is that some male tennis players want a piece of him-this has become their newfound motivation. Of this phenomenon, Tom Perrotta, Tennis Magazine senior editor writes, "He's made everybody better -- just not good enough to beat him.” After Federer beat Andy Roddick for the 14th time, Roddick said, “I didn't make mistakes. I mean, I am not walking off with any questions in my head this time. I am not walking with my head down. Given the choice of losing playing well and losing playing badly, I'll take losing playing well any day of the week.” Even at his worst, Federer can still beat a player who brings their A game, as in the case of Roddick. He is not only the target to beat, but imitate

Questions were asked by Bud Collins, an MSNBC Contributor, “Now elite players are lining up to take their best shot at Federer, and they've had to raise and diversify their games to do that. Without Federer, would Andy Roddick have tried to come out of his comfort zone and hone his volleying? Would Nadal be gunning for a Wimbledon title?” My answer?-Probably Yes!! Every great player wants to improve their game.

As I read up on Federer and other great players, I have to ask myself some questions. Who is the target we are trying to beat or imitate? Who is causing us to change our game so that we can match up with their intensity? Could it be God? Let us be clear-we cannot beat God at anything, but we sure can imitate Him. What are we wiling to change in our “game” to imitate God? Our chief goal is to be like Him in our attitudes, in our thoughts, in our conversations, in short, in everything. Man raises his game to beat or imitate a fellow human being but refuses to raise his or her game to be like Christ. The Federer’s, Michael Jordan’s, Barry Bonds’, and the Tiger Woods’ of this world, who we try so hard to emulate, but probably will never beat, or break their records, will come and go. However, in trying to emulate them, they can never bring us to the fullness of knowing who God is.

God has broken some world records that no man can match: Creating the World, Creating Man, Parting the Red Sea, Letting the Sun Stand Still, and Dying on the Cross-to mention but a few. He did not just die, but rose again and He is reigning supreme. This is the kind of person I want to raise my game for. When I bring my A game to Him, he does not beat me down, but builds on my game as Paul, in Colossians 1: 9-11 writes:

“… we have not ceased praying for you and asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of God's will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that you may lead lives worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, as you bear fruit in every good work and as you grow in the knowledge of God.” (NRS)

There is nothing wrong with Federers’ records; God has given him that gift. There is nothing wrong in people raising their game so that they can be better, that is good motivation. However, that should not be our purpose in life, trying to model our lives after man. Paul was always careful when he challenged people to imitate him; he always pointed them to Christ, “"Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ." (I Cor. 11: 1)
The Hebrew writer states, “Remember those who led you, who spoke the word of God to you; and considering the result of their conduct, imitate their faith.” (Heb 13: 7)

For Paul, Christ was His Target. May He be our target. So what kind of "game" can we raise? We need to raise our Prayer Game, our Word Game, our Fasting Game, our Giving Game, and our Love Game, to mention, but a few, so that we can imitate Christ. Why? So that He may be lifted up in us in order that “He may draw all men unto Himself.” He is the target that doesn’t need beating but imitating.