We’re standing in the kitchen, watching Serena Williams blast through the final set of last week’s Miami Open tournament.

“It’s her serve,” says my husband.

I nod, but feel confused. “We’re watching tennis?”

We’d been surfing channels for the NCCA Basketball Championship semi-final game, the “real” sports competition on this particular weekend.

But first, here is Serena Williams. Leading in our kitchen without apology.

“Watch her serve,” my husband says, putting down the remote to watch the tennis champ’s final set.

Dan is a longtime tennis fan, even though he hasn’t played in years, not since emergency brain surgery in 2000 compromised his body balance. Still, he follows the game.

“Another ace,” Dan says, admiring Serena’s court precision. “That’s how you win at tennis.”

The TV announcer is saying the same thing. “Watch her placement.”

Sure enough, Serena at age 33 is conducting a service clinic on her opponent, 26-year-old Suarez Navarro of Spain, the 12th seed.

“Despite her age,” whispers the announcer about Williams, “Serena is simply a student of the game.”

Indeed, with this match—which she won in 56 minutes 6-2 6-0—Williams becomes only the fourth woman after Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf and Chris Evert to win the same WTA tournament at least eight times.

It’s her serve. And the metaphor is obvious.

Yet it’s worth noting, because the road to success–whether in leadership, tennis, ministry, relationships or life–is never easy.

Williams, for example, was so “viciously” booed and trash-talked by fans of her semi-final opponent the night before that USA TODAY writer Chris wrote an editorial to denounce their behavior.

Still Williams won. Game. Set. Match. How? She leads on service. Yep, that metaphor again.

In our service to others, indeed, our focus, passion, endurance and commitment to delivery determines our outcome.

In short, we don’t run all over the court to make our mark. We just serve. Well.

Jesus, indeed, on the night he was betrayed, wrapped a towel around his waist to demonstrate this essential and holy principle.

He washed his disciples’ feet. Then he went to the cross—scourged, trash-talked and ridiculed. Still he saved the world.

And his leadership is eternal. But how did it start? With dirty feet. And a savior willing to wash them. Now what about us?

Patricia Raybon is the award-winning author of books and essays on mountain-moving faith. To support her ministry and writing, please order her books, including her new memoir Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace.

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photo credit: Yellow tennis balls out of black container via photopin (license)