I’m always amazed to find how many lessons from the world of sports translate into other areas of life. Jamie is one of my campus ministry peers here at the Edge House. We just had a great conversation in the kitchen (where MANY great Edge House conversations take place) about things we are both learning as we minister to college students. As we were reflecting on the process through which a few students have connected with her bible study/felllowship deal on Monday nights, we both recognized the need to have a light grip when it comes to planning and programming for relational ministry (as if there’s non-relational ministry?)
So I was reminded of a golf lesson I had a few years back while visiting Hilton Head during the PGA event at Harbortown. Two buddies and I were treated to some time with one of the most sought-after golf instructors on the island. The first thing he corrected was my grip. He showed me a few places where my glove betrayed my bad golfing behavior…gripping the club too firmly. It didn’t take him long to find my next fundamental error…tension and tightness in my arms. Most golfers know this simple lesson: relax! As soon as you try to muscle
the club at the ball…you’re likely to turn the hands over too quickly or make any number of other potential errors. The greatest golf shots often feel effortless…like the club just ‘smoothes’ its way through the ball.
That’s the lesson I’ve been learning so far in my short time of ministering to college students: lighten up, relax, and let the club do the work. Perhaps that translates into ministry and relationships like this: lighten up (the expectations), relax (in prayer and in faith), and let the club do the work (realize it’s God who transforms students lives…not our effort or intensity).
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