I found it! I could not believe my eyes I had found it!! A park with some low hanging branches and plenty of open alleys created by the rows of trees. It was perfect for exactly what I wanted. DISC GOLF. If you know much about me recently (as in the last few years) I have developed a love for a new type of sport. Disc golf checks all the boxes for me of the things I love to do. I love to be outside and in nature. I love throwing things as far as I can at a target. I love learning how every disc flys differently. I also love that it is free to play and the people in the community of this sport are so friendly. All you need to play is a disc and a field.
So there I was, staring at an open space with the 3 discs I brought along in hand. Africa did not have many places to do this so I was pining inside to do what I “loved.” WWHHHEWWW. The first disc flew out of my hand and through the line of trees! “Finally,” my heart screamed as I beheld the beauty of the discs flight. I threw my other discs and began my trek to retrieve them and find my next path to aim down. As I approached the next place I decided to throw, in the distance I noticed three older ladies sitting in the park. I thought nothing of them as I launched the well manufactured plastic from my grip. It landed more than a hundred feet from them and I proudly smiled as I had thrown it exactly like I had envisioned it. Once again I went to gather them and as I approached the discs I grinned and waved at the older ladies, who were still more than 100ft away, but the sentiment was not returned. My joy was met with a scowl. My contentment was met with looks of fear and confusion. Still yet I smiled because nothing could take away the fact that I was free and throwing my discs. I gathered them once more, moved to my next spot, threw again, and went to collect them. This time however when I went to gather them they were not on the ground but in the hands of a uniformed man. He handed them to me and said, “Sorry, No.” as he motioned his head in the direction of the three elderly ladies. And just like that, it was over. As I received them from his grasp, I walked away and out of the park frustrated, angry, and empty.
See here is the problem. The day I chose to go was no ordinary day. It was our Sabbath Day. Once a week we have a day of sabbath rest where we are encouraged to sit and rest in the Lord. Ours in often not Sunday because we are usually leading or preaching in churches as a part of our ministry. I knew that day that I had time in the morning free but I had a few appointments that would take up much of the afternoon and evening. That morning was designed to set aside time and spend it resting. I honestly thought I was doing that when I chose to go and play disc golf. I learned a great lesson that day. Anything other than Jesus and His presence when sought for peace or rest will always overpromise and underdeliver. There it is, the over/Under reference that I know you were on the edge of your seat for. I went to the park that day because I felt a little empty. I missed playing disc golf and I felt that if I could just do this one thing that I enjoy then I will be satisfied and filled. I look back on my life (as I am sure you can with yours too) and see how often and with how many things I have done this. “If I could just listen to music right now then I would not be empty. If I could go shopping I would not feel empty or lacking. If I could just have Taco Bell right now. If I could just go swimming, biking, work out, nap, watch a movie,” or whatever it is that you like and enjoy to do. Though there is absolutely nothing wrong with these things, there is a hole in our hearts (A massive one in mine) that not even the things I love to do can fill. Not even our God given gifts can fill us. His presence and His love are the only things that can give rest and life to us. We see this in Jesus’ words in Matthew 11:28-29, “Come to me all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart and you will find rest for your souls.” Being with Him, in His presence, in the yoke with Him, is rest. That is peace.
So often we over estimate what we can receive from the world and the things of it because we under estimate the grace in God’s presence.
I returned that day to our place of stay sobered, humbled, and somehow a little thankful. Thankful that God loves me so much that He used 3 old ladies and a cop to get my attention. What will He use for you?
