As is so often the case in sermon preparation, many things on which I meditated did not end up in the preaching draft this week. So, I’ll share a snippet of the scraps with you this Thursday.
Our FBW friend Terry Thomas has watched me golf over the years, and he gave me some advice that served to benefit my swing. He told me to “address it high.” A simple phrase that communicated a great deal as I stand before the tee and take up my club. I have to refocus my hands and my vision of the ball as I make contact. If I’m at the tee, I know I have to make contact. I’m going to have to swing. The situation sits there looking up at me from the tee and something has to be done.
On one hand, I could just swing it the way I’ve grown comfortable. The ball will spray every which way. My contact will be low and I’ll knock it sideways into the bushes of the tee-box. I may smack it with the heel or bottom of the club and watch as it rolls uncontrolled into the grass.
Aren’t we all accustomed to a human, low, earthly approach to meeting our situations, our conflicts, our trials? We stay comfortable and see little in the way of progress or forward momentum?
How much greater to address it high. Take our situation before the Lord for heavenly wisdom that serves, not only forward momentum, but spiritual growth. I haven’t perfected my swing, but it has improved greatly in the last couple of years thanks to “addressing it high.” Can you imagine if we each took that approach to the situations in our lives, each time we meet challenges? Address it high, heavenward. Ask the Lord to help you see from His wise and sovereign counsel. How will your prayers and vantage point improve? If you’re going to have to swing (confront a situation), take it to the Lord in prayer.
Pastor Chris
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