Stepping up to the tee.

I play a lot of disc golf. Ever since the arrival of spring and the consequent time change, I find there are few better ways to spend an evening than enjoying the sunset and throwing frisbees with some friends at my local course.

A few weeks ago, one of those friends recommended a Youtube video to me that has resulted in some quite unexpected spiritual application. It was an interview between two disc golf form coaches and a touring professional. In the interview, the coaches worked together to break down the professional player’s extremely far throwing ability, as well as nerd out over the components and physics of his throw.

About halfway through the interview, the coaches asked if the professional would mind some feedback on his throwing form. He was open to it, so they began, each coming up with a few suggestions: small changes in timing, minor body angle adjustment, and minor modifications of his wrist. Upon hearing these things, the professional asked a subtly penetrating question.

“I hear what you are saying, but how will these things help me when I step up to the tee?”

This question reveals something that had remained elusive up until that point: there were different objectives at play all along. You see, when this question was asked, the form coaches admitted that they were ‘still working on that part.’ In that moment it became clear that what separated the coaches and the professional player was not interest or expertise, but purpose. At the end of the day, the professional was stepping up to the tee and the coaches were not. This performance demand, uniquely faced by the professional, drives his practice, lifestyle, and as shown in the video, the people to whom he looks for advice.

I believe that there is some serious wisdom here for those of us who follow Jesus of Nazareth. In our journey of discipleship we too are brought into a purpose that drives our lifestyle, that requires practice, and in the same way should inform the kinds of people we look to for advice. This disc golf video highlights the principle that the most valuable teachers in our lives are those who ‘step up to the tee’. In other words, the most profitable teachers are not necessarily those who have studied the most, who have an intense interest to teach, or even those who teach for a living! But instead it is the people in our lives who each day wake up, pick up their crosses, and who live in purpose that demands action.

If you are someone like me, then you actually might really enjoy and have great interest in various fields of study such as theology, philosophy, religion, and history. To make use of this unusual disc golf analogy, you (like me) are a ‘form nerd'. Someone who delights to analyze, learn about, and find themselves in the weeds of what they love. This is not a bad thing at all, many great disc golf professionals and many faithful Christians share these same qualities. But here is the (not so subtle) rub. While it may be just fine for a disc golf nerd to not share in the demands of a professional, there are no Christians who have the liberty of not sharing in the demands of Christ. All who profess Christ are ‘professional Christians’.

This principle takes a heavy swing at the tendency of us ‘academic’ Christians to separate our study from our practice. If the subject matter of your study does not contribute to the continued fulfillment of the demands placed on your life by the person and teachings of Jesus, then your time of study must be reprioritized. The walk of faith is uncompromisingly full of ‘step up to the tee’ kinds of moments where we are called to do the same things that Jesus Christ did. These moments are not bonuses, they are not inordinate displays of piety, but they are the thing itself. Let it become our joy to live as Jesus Christ of Nazareth lives.

“Only let us live up to what we have already attained. Join together in following my example, brothers and sisters, and just as you have us as a model, keep your eyes on those who live as we do.” - Philippians 3:16-17k