The problem with problems

This is part one of a series of older, shorter blurbs of mine that never got posted...

"Watching the Masters (a golf tournament, for those of you who don't know or don't care) reminds me how bad I am at golf. Golf is a series of problems; it's "a good walk ruined" said Mark Twain or somebody like him. Maybe golf bores or angers you, but it is like any other sport or art; it's hard. It's a challenge to get the little ball in the hole or the basketball in the hoop or the baseball over the fence. Opera, sculpture, Shakespeare, and Beethoven are also difficult. Any great thing is difficult. I know this, but something in me seems addicted to forgetting it. If I hit the ball in the water or play a wrong note, I think it's bad. I think I'm bad. No. It's just hard. Hard things come by trial and error. Life is hard. Even the best golfers play like me sometimes.

Sometimes it's preferable to watch others go at it. Sometimes it's easier to sit it out.

But then I remember: easy's got nothing to do with it.

The Pursuit of Humility

A long time ago, a mentor encouraged me to "explore humility." I've spoken about this numerous times from the pulpit. It brings at least a smile from people, if not a laugh. I smile too. When I first heard the counsel, though, I misheard it. I thought he told me to "pursue humility." This mishearing fits me, eh? So, I began the task of "pursuing humility," but was grateful when my mentor briskly corrected me. Explore, John. Don't pursue. Yesterday, I began training again for a marathon. I ran about 8 miles at a faster than normal for me pace. It wiped me out. I could feel the hills like never before. I thought, as I trudged through my last mile, almost all uphill: "Now, this is the pursuit of humility!" I think anytime we are working hard and challenged, the Holy Spirit is able to use the challenge like the finest of artists uses the finest of paints. Difficulty is the substance with which God does His greatest work in our lives. Perhaps this is why the cross is the central symbol of Christian faith. After finishing my run yesterday I felt humbled; I understood reality and knew I needed all God is to me and has for me to navigate through it. This is humility: to know I need God. I felt it. I also felt great. So, with all due respect to my mentor, I think I'll keep on pursuing humility!