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Providential Prodigal

Here I go again, standing on the first tee.  I swing and the ball takes off like a rocket.  It appears to be heading straight down the line, until the very end.  It takes an unlikely bump and "rick-a-shays" off to the right, into the trees, and down the hill towards the out of bounds fence.  What is it about this game?  No matter how much you think you've got your swing perfected, the ball seems to still have a mind of its own!

I'm off now on my search for my favorite golf ball.  It seems that the ground has a selfish ability to swallow up balls.  I'm sure I spotted exactly where it landed and bounced out, but there is nothing in sight as I walk back and forth in vain.  I've learned that you must move on with this game.  After a reasonable look, you drop a new ball from where you went out, and press on.  Some other golfer will probably get the pleasure of finding your ball . . .

Life is full of paradox. It's difficult to make sense of it at times.  It's no different than the days of centuries ago.  There was great excitement in the early days of Christianity, otherwise known as the Way.  The former timid disciples of the Master, now boldly proclaimed that He was the One by whom all were saved.  His resurrection had confirmed that fact to them.  But they met opposition.  They were jailed, beaten and even died at the hands of those who had been entrusted initially with the very oracles of God.  Yet, that suffering seemed Providential, as the Gospel was spread throughout the known world as a result.

Even in this time Providence rules.  To me, all is lost.  I had my chance to swing, I chose the perfect golf ball and focused on the mark.  But what I initiated turned the other way.  I spent many hours, much effort, and constant prayer in trying to find that very one.  Each time my hope was dashed, the white mound that I thought was mine ended up being just a large toadstool or a bit of trash.  I always came up empty as I paced through high rough, weeds, and rocks.  So now, I'm learning to just move on.  I can't wallow in the loss, trying to rescue the one I desperately  desired to rightly land in  life.  I have to trust that the lost will be found, not by me, but by the Shepherd who alone seeks and finds the wandering soul.  My job is to move ahead. . .

Trust my swing in the life of Providence.  Who knows, perhaps it is providential that the prodigal has gone his way?  

"Faith in God calls for a readiness to trust in His wisdom
 and does not demand an explanation."
 (Everett F. Harrison) 

Comments

  1. AnonymousOctober 9, 2012 at 10:37 PM

    b. Ball Out of Bounds
    If a ball is out of bounds, the player must play a ball, under penalty of one stroke, as nearly as possible at the spot from which the original ball was last played (see Rule 20-5).
    Under this rule, you will not be allowed to simply "drop" another ball. Hubby

    ReplyDelete

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