Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving. (Colossians 2:6-8, ESV)
The golf swing is a complex movement. Some “geek” out on the physics of the swing by breaking it down into specific positions and points of axis.
For the rest of us, a simpler understanding of three words, according to Joanna Coe, director of instruction at Merion Golf Club, enables any golf enthusiast to gain an ample understanding of the golf swing.
The first word is circle. Imagine a hula hoop around your torso, with your arms stretched out and your hands holding it in front of you.
As you tilt into your golf posture, the hula-hoop reveals the circle along which the club moves around the body.
The second word is sequencing, the order in which different body parts move during the swing.
The sequence for the backswing is: clubhead, arms, torso, lower body. On the downswing, it reverses: lower body, torso, arms, clubhead.
The final word is clubface. Clubface orientation at impact with the ball directly influences ball flight. One of the most important factors in clubface orientation is a “solid and consistent grip throughout the swing… And make sure you never lose touch with what your hands and wrists are doing throughout the swing,” states Coe.
If narrowing down a complex movement into three words is helpful for the golf swing, might it also aid in simplifying the complexities of faith in Jesus?
Three helpful words are: pursue, receive, and abide.
It’s not uncommon to believe we must first “clean ourselves up” before we can find our way to Jesus. But the truth is that Jesus is always pursuing us … period.
Jesus was a part of the beginning (John 1:1). He stepped into this world for our benefit, and our brokenness doesn’t repel him.
Once we recognize Jesus’ pursuit, then, by faith, we are to receive him. No amount of achievement or proving ourselves makes us worthy of Jesus’ love. We are worth everything to Jesus right now, just the way we are.
For this reconciled relationship to remain a viable connection, we must then abide in Jesus.
Abiding means remaining, dwelling, and staying close. Just as our hands must stay connected to the golf club, we must stay connected to Jesus. We do this through prayer, his Word, obedience, and being in community with others who actively follow Jesus.
Abiding in Jesus tills the soil for spiritual growth. It’s the nutrients that shape our character, shift our thoughts and actions, and strengthen our faith.
Jesus pursues, we receive, and then we abide so that we get to become light in the darkness.
Can it be that simple?
Prayer: Lord, thank you for pursuing me. Teach me to uncomplicate your love for me today.