I’m In The Groove
Hey Friends,
Have you ever heard it said, “I’m in the groove?” I have. It usually refers to someone that has practiced something, so they “cut a groove and stay in it.” This is how we are supposed to get better. Practice, practice, practice, we are told. If you do, you will cut a groove and it will be easier to stay in it. But is the groove the best place for you?
I just started playing golf after a six-year sabbatical; it should have been longer! Now, after several rounds of golf my old swing is coming back. Why? I grooved it in. It is wrong and horrible, but it is grooved. Unless I concentrate, I see my old bad habits creeping back in! Why? Because I spent years and years in the WRONG GROOVE!
You may have heard it said “practice makes perfect.” But if you practice incorrectly, you’ll wind up with incorrect habits. You see, practice makes permanent, not perfect. So what’s the answer?
First, get help. Great golfers like Tiger Woods are continuously refining their swing to improve. Tiger has a swing coach that helps him find poor mechanics in his technique and teaches him how to correct them. Just because Tiger has won tons of tournaments doesn’t mean he doesn’t need help from others! Seek out others who can help you identify and overcome your weaknesses. Next, spend time in deliberate practice. Golfers will often spend hours on the driving range honing their skills. This kind of practice is intentional. It is about feedback and correction. It is being open to help and improvements. This kind of discipline requires focused effort, and it’s essential if you want to improve. Finally – and this is key – don’t let pride get in the way. Acknowledge that you don’t have it all figured out and let someone else speak into your life. Without humility, it’s impossible to dig yourself out of that groove!
These disciplines go beyond the fairways and bunkers – they can apply to any aspect of life. What are you doing to train yourself? What are you doing to identify your weaknesses and correct them? Paul told the Corinthian church, “Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but only one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may win. Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we are imperishable. Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.”
Keep your eyes on the prize! In ministry and in my spiritual growth I desperately want to grow, so I ALWAYS need to be open to feedback and improvement. I plan to grow and want the people around me to help me so that I can be all that God has designed me to be! Are you open to feedback and self-correction? I pray so!
Just a thought.
Yours to count on,
Pastor
5 Comments
It is funny that this is the subject for today as I spent much of yesterday thinking about this same thing. Isn’t it amazing how God works! I have developed a bad habit since my divorce- withdrawing from people to keep my life simple and protected. It has made things simpler, granted, but it has also taken the joys of fellowship along with it.
Yesterday, in light of Pastor’s message, I spent much of my afternoon writing letters to people in my life that have changed it by watering me. I cried the whole time, blessed by remembering their sacrifices. I was also blessed when 3 people contacted me to share how I had helped them. Wow!- isn’t that what it’s all about?
This week, I am fasting from TV/movies, etc. and spending every chance I get with the Lord, in reading/writing, in prayer, in fellowship with other believers. I am already looking forward to it! I thank God for this church and the things I have learned that are making me a more mature Christ-follower!
Hey Jennifer, great idea. I had heard once to send a thank you note to those who had helped you along the way — just out of the blue. And I always thought that would be great. Now I have to do it. Thanks for the uplifting reminder.
I think being open to feedback is one of the toughest things we can do because it requires us to set our pride aside. I spent five years in journalism, and that’s a humbling profession. You’re always getting correct. But it doesn’t make it any easier. Great point, pastor, about how just because we practice, it doesn’t make us get better. I hope this blog and reading the Word daily (my “next steps” from last week) will help make me focus on improving, rather than continuing the same old practices.
Jen now that I have your permission I want to publicly aknowledge your strength in adversity.I for one am extremely glad that you stepped out of your comfort zone,overcame fear and trusted God to uproot your life and plant you in good ground. Because of your willingness to trust Him your fruit grows on my tree and further I realized after this weekends message that also you have been added to the list of people who have watered me. Even if inadvertantly, the water has come none the less. Another thought crossed my mind as I read Pastor’s blog this morning. I have been in Egypt for the past two years developing touch-me-not incorrect bad habits socially.You Jen, look a little like Mariam singing and dancing your way to the promised land leading others,even if it’s just four and the land is Faith “Promise”. I thought that was kinda neet!!! So thank you very much. Now to my “bad” habits or “rut”, now that I am here I find out that it is no longer easy to join and talk freely without becoming so nervous. It is awkward to say the least. But I can say that I am recieving grace and coaching from those with whom I have had the pleasure to come into contact with.God did meet with me at home like people go and visit shut ins…O my I was a shut in…He loved me and healed me and admonished me back out into the big scary Body, but He has met me moreso here and now. Focusing my eyes,as only He can and I believe because I am asking for coaching He is supplying in the form of the leaders I have met.He has big plans for new improved and perfected swings Pastor!!! Our grooves served the purpose to show the differance when we practice Him, for is that not were true perfection lies? Humbly submitting for Him and the others He provides, to show us sometimes where we may be practicing wrong ideas,perceptions,beliefs and the like. Those things that cause spiritual unrest (kind-of like coming in last on the golf course)Further more become as the poor widow in Mark 12:43-44,that cast all her living in.If we in poor spirit know that it requires of us all that is within us to finish the race. Why would we only cast in from our abundance? Saying that, I mean give practice time in something that you are not necessarily gifted in, something that requires submission to others who have proven themselves loyal and faithful to God and man. To learn what reliance can provide…greatfullness and wait and see that the Lord is good when you are caused to focus,practice hard,work through frustration with determined commitment. Eventually seeing that this excersice will improve even your abundace, or what comes easily and naturally to you. S>T>R>E>C>H…..
Sometimes I think I forget that not only do I have to practice a life that is away from sin, but I have to practice good habits, good communication with the Lord, and other spiritual acts.
I like the line of “practice makes permanent.” Practicing good habits will not only assist in my relationship with the Lord, but it will assist in fighting the advances from the evil one. I often think about the line speaking about an idle mind being the devil’s playground. I believe that and if I am not practicing thoughts or activities in God’s name, then I may be leaving my mind idling.
Good post overall. Enjoyed reading it.