Hello there!This is Scott Paschal, Ministry Director for the International Christian Tennis Association!
What do you think about this time of year?
For many, the French Open in Paris is the talk of the town. Famous tennis players battle it out on the crushed brick in front of hundreds of thousands of adoring fans... media worldwide follow every move of the top players...
Yet, that's not what caught my eye in the tennis world while searching the internet this morning.
Even though 2006 ICTA Christian Tennis Academy alumni, Julia Vakulenko, easily crushed Meng Juan, her main draw French Open first round opponent, 6-1, 6-2; that's not what commanded my attention as I began thinking about how God could use me this morning within the sport of tennis.
I'd like to share with you something most tennis enthusiasts worldwide have not been able to hear...
I read a news article on Yahoo about two tennis players and their coach. These three men had just finished a workout in Baghdad, Iraq. As they left the Iraq national tennis center to drive home, a group of men followed them in a car. The group of men forced the tennis coach's car to stop. They ordered the older tennis coach and his two young, top national players out of the car and onto the road.
Then the leader of the group of men shot the tennis coach and his two promising tennis players in their heads. They died instantly.
As the world read of Roger Federer complaining that he had to play his first round French Open match on Sunday, instead of Monday, because he felt he would possibly lose his "rhythm" for his Wednesday 2nd round match... a seasoned tennis coach and two bright hopefuls were slaughtered in Iraq.
The question is why were these men murdered? Why were these two athletes and their coach forced down onto their knees and executed.
Well, the Islamic extremists said it was because the tennis players wore shorts during practice.
You see, Islamic extremists murdered this small band of tennis brothers because they feel they have a right to speak for God and carry out what they feel would be His justice.
My heart broke for these three men who died. Then my heart continued breaking for the men who killed them.
At times I have spoken with select people who disagree with my bringing Christianity into the sport of tennis. Usually, these people have a narrow view of the world or some particular agenda they are following.
Some claim religion should be left out of sports. I say it is impossible to keep my faith in Jesus silent. I say I have every right given to me by God to speak of my faith at every opportunity given and created.
These people slander me personally, seek out my family and friends in order to harass them, then claim they are the ones who should be listened to.
Yet, each of these people is harmless. They are merely expressing their freedom of speech. Each of them is living an easy life in an easy culture.
As inaccurate in their facts and agenda laden as these bullies can become, these people are about as harmful as a goldfish.
Compared to what my brothers are forced to go through in other parts of the world, my life is simple and easy.
I enjoyed a great workout today hitting with a WTA ranked player for 3 hours. The sun was shining in beautiful Florida, our tennis courts have just been resurfaced, lots of locals talked with us after our workout ended.
When I drove away from the tennis courts my mind flashed to the scene in Bahgdad. What it must have be like over there for my three tennis brothers. I talked with my student as she happily discussed her plans for the rest of her day. I safely drove home without incident....
There is a big world out there. It's easy to be locked into our safe routines, easy to force ourselves to justify our lack of appreciation with our liberty and freedom.
The Bible says, "If any of you lack widom, let him ask God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given to him." James 1:5
If in your day, you find yourself able to freely worship in your religion, freely travel where you wish to go, freely play tennis in the clothing of your choice, freely drive home in relative safety, and freely watch the greatest tennis players today compete in Paris, France in Rolland Garros; just know that others worldwide do not have the priviledges we so often find ourselves taking for granted. Ask God for the wisdom to see your foolishness.
Tomorrow, I look forward to following the matches in Paris.
In particular, I look forward to Julia's match against Sofia Arvidsson, who is ranked WTA 31. Yes, I would like Julia to win another round.
But that is not why I look forward to her match.
My excitement comes because God used both me and my little sports ministry to bring Julia back from the brink of death, both spiritual and physical.
The thought of her first workout with me 18 weeks ago makes me smile. Though Julia was very sickly and frail then, I knew she had everything needed to reach the top. I also knew that God chose me to reach her and to begin to undue the abuse heaped onto her by others.
Unlike my brothers in Bahgdad, Julia's life was snatched from Satan's claws. Now, she has the priviledge to follow God's plan for her life.
One day, I pray our little sports ministry can grow large enough to help more players, and more people worldwide. One day I pray the International Christian Tennis Association reaches a level where we can truly impact the lives of others on a global scale.
God Bless!
Scott Paschal
