The ball came off the end of the club perfectly. It felt good, it looked good, and it was going in a perfect line towards the pin. It carried the traps, avoided the water, and landed just six feet short of the pin and began to spin slowly forwarded. For a brief moment, I saw visions of a hole in one, but the reality of the ball checking up four feet short quickly ended the illusion! A nice 4-foot uphill put brought the first birdie of the day.
Was this a moment-of-truth?
The next hole was a dose of reality. I approached the tee with confidence. Hitting first on a long, perfectly straight par-5, the ball came off the club in a perfect duck hook and splash in the small pond directly in front of the tee. The next four holes mirrored this shot. I dug trenches, I explored the woods, and I let a few more balls go swimming. Reality was all around me!
My problems were obvious; the actions creating the dilemma were covert. “I’ve tried everything and nothing helps. I’m at the end of my rope. Is there no one who can do anything for me? Isn’t that the real question?” (Romans 7.24)
I eventually found most of my form and finished the game with a few good shots. I wondered about the link between my golf game and my journey with God. When I ignore the basic truths and did it my own way my game disappeared. The question remained; how do I solve my problems? Where and with whom do I seek help to get things on track?
I do not want to be partially successful with God. I am not satisfied with a few moments of peace and happiness. I see little point in an on again, off again relationship. This is a moment-of-truth.
God has already won with game. He knows what we need, offers us unconditional gifts of mercy and grace, and gives us the Spirit to help nurture, tutor, and talk us through.
Our call.
