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Golf And Discipleship
There are analogies (i.e., parables) in everything to our spiritual walk, even golf. For example, I hit a drive that didn’t go too far but luckily didn’t land in thick rough. So I told my playing partner that is how many like their sermons — short and not too deep! More seriously…
There are:
- Golfers
- Those who play golf
- Those who play at golf
- Those who play while golfing.
Comparatively speaking of discipleship:
- Everything we do is tangent to becoming like Jesus, his disciple. Being a student of Jesus is our life, lifestyle, and obsession.
- We are really good at being a disciple, but it is more natural talent, upbringing, or culture than intentionality. The Christian life is something we are comfortable with, so this is more like a habit or even an accent, in that we can do it without thinking or trying.
- We are consistently bad at being a disciple because it is not a priority in time or effort. We don’t give it up because it soothes our conscience by making us feel good.
- We are more motivated by being with friends and having a good time than being transformed. Christians enjoy being around us, even if we do bend the rules for our benefit.
A study guide I read said there are three types of disciples in the gospel of John: Curious, Convinced, and Committed. We do see “disciples” leaving Jesus after a “hard saying” in John 6. Jesus often would teach hard things when the crowds got big. So maybe in the loose, accommodative meaning of the word that is true.
However, a true disciple of Jesus is not just a student of what Jesus taught, but an imitator of who Jesus is. Jesus becomes our Who, What, When, Where, Why, and How.
One of my techniques in keeping self-awareness concerning my devotion is how aware I am in making analogies, parabolic parallels, and such to my spiritual life. I try to see “it” everywhere and in everything. But that’s just me and how my brain works. For practical “practice,” how do you keep your self-awareness forefront in your mind? It doesn’t have to be like mine, but we all need constant reminders.
In closing, from the above analogy, which kind of disciple are you? Which kind do you think Jesus wants us to be?
