I play golf. And… sometimes my fellow followers of Jesus frown on this with remarks like “It’s a game Freud would have played.” Nonetheless, as someone who always fared better at solo sports, I find great enjoyment, relaxation, and inspiration in the game of golf.
Imagine this scenario… You want to start playing golf, and knowing that I play golf, you come to me and ask me how to go about this game. I reply, “It’s simple. Just visit your nearest course, walk up to the first tee box, place your ball on the tee, and hit the perfect drive down the middle of the fairway. Then, take your four iron, and hit an approach shot that lands really close to the flag. All that now remains is to tap the ball into the hole for a birdie, and to play the other seventeen holes in a similar fashion.”
Would you think I’m a bit of a nutcase? Obviously. And rightly so. A more appropriate answer would be: “You know, I suggest you start off by getting a couple of lessons just to help you get the basics right. Thereafter, you’ll have to practice hard for six to eight months before attempting to visit the course. Your first visit will be a terrible experience, but just keep at it. Over time, with sufficient ongoing exercise and advice from experienced golfers, your game should improve. But remember… golf is a jealous game. You can’t just leave it for a year and expect to continue on from where you were…”
The above example might seem ridiculous. But isn’t it exactly what we do as Christians? We tell people to obey Jesus and to live like He lived and taught in the gospels, without pointing out that in that life there were definite and intense times of spiritual “exercise” — 40 days of fasting, regular visits to the mountain to pray, diligent study of the scriptures, servanthood, to name but a few.
A careful study of the life of Paul reveals the same thing — fasting, prayer, and solitude were themes in his life.
How exactly do we expect to be as good at living as either Jesus or Paul if we’re not exposed to and diligent in the disciplines they employed to nurture and develop their souls?
Tracking Jesus (launching later this year) will be an online learning experience aimed at helping followers of Jesus get their lives in the right rhythm of discipline to develop (through the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the grace of God) into strong followers of Jesus. Disciples that truly overcome…
