The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful people who will be able to teach others also. (2 Timothy 2:2, NASB)
I never had a “go-to” teacher in golf. The old school way to learn was to hit balls and “dig it out of the dirt.” My first teacher, my dad, would say, “Go hit all these balls, and when you finish, I will give you a red soda water.” My, how times have changed.
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I also realize that the stronger we get in this faith journey, the more guidance we need
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For the most part, golf teachers today are a brilliant breed of men and women who have a calling to teach and do it well. Our learning rests a lot on their ability to communicate what they have learned. Interestingly, the better you get at the game of golf, the more instruction you need. Just look at the PGA Tour.
I have been blessed with some great teachers in my spiritual journey over the past 36 years. As I look back, I realize now that the Holy Spirit guided me in supplying these teachers.
I also realize that the stronger we get in this faith journey, the more guidance we need.
The itinerant Bible scholar who led me to Christ was a remarkable teacher. God then blessed me with two dynamic pastors at my local church. I spent a lot of time with them. More importantly, they spent time with me. And then, for eight summers, I benefited from the teaching of many pastors, authors, theologians, and ministry leaders at a Christian guest ranch in Colorado.
Now it continues. Jeffrey Cranford and the writing of the late Jeff Hopper, still pour into me today. I could write a book on how both loved me and how I reciprocated. I never lacked guidance, only obedience.
Presently, a retired pastor who leads a Links Fellowship in a nearby city has become a mentor to me. I was recently with him describing some journal entries from 25 years ago when I was first called to ministry. Looking back, I now see the answers to my frightful prayers at the time. I told him how amazed I am at the journey God has led me through for these many years.
He stopped my history lesson mid-sentence and exclaimed this truth, “You know you can be better, and these last years may be your best. It is one of the few things you can do better as you progress in age.”
He then said, “You know why this is true? You now have an opportunity and a responsibility to teach others.” Fredrick Buechner said, “You learn as much as you can from the wise until finally, if you do it right and things break your way, you are wise enough to be yourself, brave enough to speak with your own voice, and foolish enough, for Christ’s sake, to live and serve out of the uniqueness of your own vision with your own passion.”
Now I realize the ultimate teacher for all of us is Jesus. We also realize that Jesus uses men and women enabled by the Holy Spirit to guide others in the way. Maybe it is our turn to be the teachers now.
Closing prayer: Jesus, you alone enable us to learn. Allow us opportunities to pass this Good News on.