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Kenosis

I don't know what it is exactly, there are certain days of golf I probably shouldn't play.  Especially, those in which I haven't had had my regular practice days completed beforehand.  The golf course becomes unforgiving and has a way of reminding me of that all through the game.  Yes, golf serves to humble me.  Somehow it always feels worse with other spectators watching you choke.  Just like yesterday, I found myself more often in the tall grass, side hills, and water than on the fairway.  Good thing I had taken extra balls, because I think I lost at least six of them.  My redeeming moments were short and far between.  I have to wonder sometimes, why do I keep on playing?  What is there about that game that keeps me striving and grinding even with that kind of day?  Is it making me a golfer ever?

Humility and meekness seems to come through pain.  It certainly isn't automatic.  I think human nature strives to outshine one another and boast in our abilities.  To be humble goes against our inner grain.  We always want to be right, we'd rather be first, we'd rather stomp on you so we'll be ahead. . . but that isn't the attitude of Christ.

Kenosis is the Greek word Paul used in writing about the mystery of Jesus Christ, the God Man. He had it all, but chose to lay aside His all to become like us.  The phrase is that He "emptied Himself."   That is the attitude He portrayed as He walked this earth.  He humbly lived with our human limitations, even to the cross.  His life was laced with pain and suffering too, and yet He was always moved with compassion to save others trapped in their misery.  Humility frees you to think of others more highly than yourself.  

So maybe, just maybe that is why I play this game of golf.  It's not about me, it's not about my terrific golf swing and magic shots.  Just like life, it's walking meekly, striving to do my best even when I may not land on target.  It's having an attitude, an inner frame of mind that has chosen to be gracious, kind, generous and compassionate.  It's laying aside my selfish motives and instead allowing humility to play the greens with me. . .  

"Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bondservant, and being made in the likeness of men.  And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross."
(Philippians 2: 5-8)

  

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