The Sweet Spot

In repentance and rest is your salvation,
in quietness and trust is your strength… Isa 30:15

Wack! The ball scampered from the tee tripping over itself to hide in the bushes. “Humph,” I exhaled. My golf-pro-grandma calmly set another ball and repeated one more time: “Feet apart, knees bent, elbows in, right shoulder down, focus on the back of the ball, swing from the hips.” Thwock! Now that sounded right; it felt right. “You sure can hit far,” Granny said as she squinted after my ball. It arched well past the hole and onto the next fairway. I’d found the sweet spot on the ball.

There is a sweet spot in Christian living and I know well what it is to swing hard and miss it. All too many times I’ve landed in the bushes of confusion or the sand trap of sin. There is no joy in those places. Ah, but when it all comes together there is an effortless, graceful, connection where life in Christ fairly soars.

Right behind Jesus—that is the sweet spot—after I’ve returned to hide myself in His grace. I come out of the wind and rest in back of His strength and love. I stop trying to find satisfaction someplace other than in the folds of His robe. I quit relying on my own savvy to get me through. I run behind Him and sit quietly in His shadow breathing His gardenia-scented goodness.

I am learning I don’t have to wait for a trial or temptation to chase me behind Him. I can admit my weakness and proclaim His glory in a morning discipline. Then, with a bit of effort, I can rest in His presence throughout the day. The result is the sweet spot; my salvation and my strength; a relaxed life lived on His terms. When I do that, it feels so right my heart soars in joy. Repentance and rest, quietness and trust—that is where I want to stay.

Prayer: Mighty Jesus, may I hide in Your sweet spot this whole day.