TRAJECTORY

First, the world's shortest story on golf: “I hate this game. I hate the game. I hate this game.”...“Nice shot!”...”I love this game!”

What can elicit a “Nice shot!”? Pure physics. It happens when the precise angle of contact between the club and the ball at the moment of impact is just right, i.e. the sweet spot. The slightest shift in this angle at contact will significantly alter the ball’s trajectory and determine where it lands.

Today, the last of a 4-Monday series on the nine “senses” of the Spirit (Gal 5: 22-23), I focus on faithfulness, generosity and self-control. These last three serve as examples of the significance of trajectory in our lives--meaning simply--if we begin our approach to everything we think, say or do from an “angle” of faithfulness or generosity or self-control--doing so will positively and profoundly shape where this day lands for each of us. Or better, where we land at the end of this day.

TAKE FAITHFULNESS: When we ask, “To what or to whom am I being faithful with this response to the situation at hand?” then our trajectory is heading in the direction of being faithful in the Shakespearean way: “This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any [sic] man.” (Or God, for that matter.)

TAKE GENEROSITY: Asking, “In general, how generous am I feeling right now?” gives us a sense of the state of our spiritual well-being. Inversely, when I’m feeling good about my life and life in general, that’s when I’m most generous. The two go hand in hand. Fortunately, the Spirit is very generous!

TAKE SELF-CONTROL: Let’s exchange “self-control” with “ego-control.”--a fair translation of Paul’s definition of “self,” which opens up a new understanding of this particular sense. By asking, “What role is my ego playing in this situation, decision or relationship?” we can free our selves from the unhelpful hold our egos may have on our thinking which, I’m pretty sure, is considerably more than we realize.

Just like with the five physical ones, we can learn to trust our spiritual senses. One way to keep them in the forefront of our minds? Alongside today’s “To Do List,” let’s add another column--our “To Be List,” then jot down one of the nine. Love? Patience? Generosity? See where its trajectory takes you.

TODAY.

GIVE YOURSELF & THE WORLD A GIFT.

TAKE TIME TO THINK ABOUT YOU YOU THINK.