hen I was a young man, I played a great deal of tennis. In fact, it was the primary focus of my day. I spent hours playing and practicing, hoping to achieve a level of expertise that would allow me to win tournaments. One summer the team I played for went on a trip to La Jolla, California, for a match with a team from that area. We knew that the members of that team were very good and had been taking lessons from professionals; still we felt up to the task.
The young man I was paired against was my own age, 16, but at that time he was ranked number 16 in the U.S. in our age group—a prestigious accomplishment for him and a daunting challenge for me.
This particular day, however, was one as I’d never before experienced. I was “in the zone,” as they say. Everything I tried to do just seemed to work. Even my backhand, my greatest weakness, somehow became capable that day of hitting winners at will.
To make my task even easier, my opponent was unnerved by this “upstart” who arose from nowhere to challenge his expertise and win! He lost his cool, and I won the match.
It was incredible. I couldn’t believe I’d accomplished such a feat. Needless to say, I was praised and given the place of honor for the entire trip back home. I’d had my day in the sun. It’s an experience that to this day shines bright and vivid in my memory.
What Happened?
Now let’s take a closer look at what actually took place during that event.
True, I had practiced a great deal, but was my expertise that day really due to my own power? I think not. Looking back, I think God was with me that day. The power, the deft touch, the feel for my game came from Him. I realize that now that I’ve had the opportunity to know the Lord and His ways.
Notice this excerpt from the book The Desire of Ages. It shows what being “in the zone” is really all about. The subject is Christ’s cleansing of the Jerusalem Temple.
“As [Jesus] beholds the scene, indignation, authority, and power are expressed in His countenance. The attention of the people is attracted to Him. The eyes of those engaged in their unholy traffic are riveted upon His face. They cannot withdraw their gaze. They feel that this Man reads their inmost thoughts, and discovers their hidden motives. Some attempt to conceal their faces, as if their evil deeds were written upon their countenances, to be scanned by those searching eyes.
“The confusion is hushed. The sound of traffic and bargaining has ceased. The silence becomes painful. A sense of awe overpowers the assembly. It is as if they were arraigned before the tribunal of God to answer for their deeds” (pp. 157, 158).
Many have heard or read the story of Jesus’ cleansing the Temple at the commencement of His ministry in A.D. 27. But here Ellen White brings it home, so to speak, describing His appearance and countenance in the lead-up to the cleansing. I’d say that He was truly “in the zone.” His power was palpable, His countenance too much for those present to handle.
Three things were evident that day in the Temple:
We Must “Practice”
This was certainly not the only place in Scripture where Jesus displayed this presence. Consider the text of John 18:4-8, where He confronted the detachment of soldiers sent to arrest Him in Gethsemane. Verse six tells us that when Jesus said, “I am He,” the soldiers drew back and fell to the ground. Something about His words and actions manifested the power of God.
Can we, as erring humans, achieve that power, that authority?
I believe we can. But we must “practice.” It will involve spending time in prayer for wisdom. We’d need to put into practice all that the Lord has told us in His Word. That will require reading our Bibles every day. Scripture is filled with counsel on improving our lives, our health, and yes, our power. The power of God, according to Scripture, is ours for the asking.
We cannot forget to “practice.” Isaiah 30:21 says: “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it.’” In a sense this speaks of a personal, “guided tour,” if we’re able to discern that voice. And we can—with “practice.”
My father was not a religious man, but he always told me, “Son, if you have it, people can tell. You don’t have to tell them.” The “it” my father referred to was character. And what if we insert the word “Christian” in front of character? The sentence would still be true. We can achieve all things through our heavenly Father.
The Extra We Need
Jesus knew His mission and prayed for wisdom and power to accomplish it. And He asks us to accept His mission for us: “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Matt. 28:19, 20).
We should remember our own mission and where our power comes from. We should immerse ourselves in Scripture every day so that, like Jesus, we can know what to say. Jesus told His disciples that with faith as small as a mustard seed, nothing would be impossible for them. The opportunity to live “in the zone” is ours for the asking.
And I can tell you from personal experience: it’s something you will never forget.
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Roger Gotch is a part-time computer technician, Part-time handyman, who keeps his eyes and ears open for the Lord’s instructions. He lives in College Place, Washington.