Aim Small, Miss Small

Aim Small, Miss Small

One day I was playing a particularly difficult golf course with some friends and began having a little trouble. Truth be told, at this point in the game I was becoming frustrated as I couldn’t seem to string enough good shots to get into a rhythm. After a mediocre tee shot, I lined up over my ball with a long iron and loosed a shot that was flushed straight out of the center of the center of the club face. I look up to see the ball flying through the air laser straight, but 30 yards off line.

“That’s right where you were aiming” I hear from my playing partner standing behind me.

“What?” I reply in disbelief as I evaluate my stance and confirm I am pointing at the green. “I’m aimed right here”

Another chimed in, “No you’re aimed at that oak tree. Great shot, but you’ve been lining up to the right all day” as the third nodded his head in agreement.

What are they talking about? How could I be misaligned, I’m checking it in real time right now and I don’t feel that I’m aiming off, but all three are confirming that I, in fact, am not pointed towards my target. Alignment in a golf shot is one of the most critical and easily overlooked aspects of the game. One of the reasons it is so difficult to remain aligned is because we twist our heads and bodies to a vantage point where we trick ourselves into thinking our alignment is correct. It is so easy to become misaligned that professional golfers lay down alignment sticks for their feet and club every practice session, attempting to ingrain proper alignment.

“Let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” 1 Corinthians 10:12

Paul writes these words after describing the Israelite people’s lustful departure from being aligned with God as his chosen people and giving in to their own pattern. Could I be guilty of the same thing? I don’t see myself in the same sins Paul describes earlier in chapter 10- idolatry, drunkenness, sexual immorality. However, I’ve proved in my golf game I can get off the proper line by my carelessness or just lack of constant evaluation, maybe I ought to pay careful attention to my spirit.

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you are disqualified.”  2 Corinthians 13:5

How often are we evaluating ourselves, asking whether my actions are bringing me closer to God’s kingdom or just building my own here. How will I know if I am properly aligned toward the kingdom of God?

“There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.”  Proverbs 14:12