These things we write, so that our joy may be made complete. (1 John 1:4, NASB)
Is golf any fun? At times it may bring fleeting joy when we hit those perfect shots just as planned, but golf is not usually that way. Far from it. Some shots are even unplayable. There is a great line from the movie Tin Cup that illustrates this point: “Tempo is everything and perfection is unattainable.”
John’s first letter was written primarily to early Christians who were adding legalism to grace in order to be perfected. In essence, John’s message was, “Don’t work so hard at getting saved. It is a gift. Smile and appreciate the gift. Have some joy. It is about what has already been done for you.” I believe that when we begin to understand the gift of grace properly, the works will follow in abundance. How can they not? Understanding a taste of grace usually leads to joy.
I love the movie Mr. Holland’s Opus. Mr. Holland is trying to teach his young student how to play the clarinet. She tries so hard to play the right notes, but she continually fails. He finally asks her, “Is it any fun?” He then tells her that her problem is that she is trying to just play the notes on the page. She responds with, “Well, what else is there?” Mr. Holland pauses and explains, “When you look in the mirror, what is it that you like most about yourself?” She said, “My hair. My father said it reminds him of a beautiful sunset.” Mr. Holland concluded, “Well, play the sunset.” The student picked up her clarinet, closed her eyes, and played the piece magnificently by heart.
Life, like golf, is not a game of perfect.Life is not just about notes on a page. Anyone can teach notes on a page. The beauty in living life well is about the intangibles of emotion and passion and understanding what God’s sacrificial love has done for us. It is about worshipping the only one who is worthy of saving our lives. It is not about legalism and rule keeping. I have come to embrace the unique concept that Jesus wants us to play the sunset and experience real joy in the process. God wants this joy to be contagious to others. That has always been his plan. It has never been about perfection. Life, like golf, is not a game of perfect.
Ken Gire wrote in The Divine Embrace, “The Christian life is about intimacy, not technique. The Lord of the dance doesn’t want us worrying about our feet. He doesn’t want us wondering about the steps ahead. He merely wants us to feel the music, fall into his arms, and follow his lead. And I would prefer to dance poorly with Jesus than sit perfectly with anyone else.”
Fredrick Nietzsche, the German philosopher, who popularized the “God is dead movement” once wrote a letter to a friend: “If these Christians want me to believe in their God, they’ll have to sing better songs, they will have to look more like people who have been saved, they will have to wear on their countenance the joy of the beatitudes. I could only believe in a god who dances.”
I have been slowly learning this truth over the last 34 years since my salvation and new birth. What freedom we have when we are in love with the one who freed us! As I get older, I hope I can live more freely. Thank you, Jesus. I am beginning to understand, and my smile cannot be contained.
—
Randy Wolff
June 2, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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