beatitudes – Steve Jacobsen, Ed.D

Better to Focus on the Green than The Sand Trap (Some Spiritual Advice)

I’m going to start with a bit of golf wisdom and then move on to something more important.

Golf is a funny game. When you get ready to hit a shot, an endless number of thoughts can flood your mind. Some may be specific ideas about how you are going to direct your body. Others may concern timing or an awareness of who might be watching you. What you have in mind before you swing is important.

If you are getting ready to hit a shot that has a chance of landing in a sand trap instead of on the green, a common thought is, “I just don’t want the ball to land in that sand trap!” But more often than not, having that thought will result in the ball finding its way to the sand. “That’s exactly what I didn’t want to do!” we say to ourselves. On we go, not only lamenting the outcome but frustrated with ourselves.

Wise coaches tell us the key is understanding how our mind works. The theory is that our mind will direct our body to try and fulfill what we want. However, it’s designed to focus more on a clear visual image than a word. When we say, “I just don’t want to land in that sand trap,” our mind sees “sand trap” but doesn’t hear the word “don’t.”

The better option, they say, is to take a long look at the green and think, “I want this ball to land on that green.” Then we take a relaxing breath and swing. There is no guarantee, but more often than not the shot will go in the right direction.

What does this say about our spiritual life?

I believe it suggests to us what we focus on and expect in our journey is important.

One problem is that for centuries, dominant strands of the Christian tradition have said the most important truth in life is: “You are a sinner. There is something fundamentally wrong with you, and you should never forget it.”

To me, it’s basically like telling yourself again and again, “Of course things go wrong. I deserve it.”

I don’t believe that’s the best approach.

In the parable of the Good Samaritan, Jesus doesn’t dwell on the people who pass by the injured man, but lifts up the person who cared enough to stop and do something to help him. The implication: “Isn’t this kind of person who you want to be?”

In the Parable of the Prodigal Son, the main message is that the father of the two sons is more generous and forgiving than either son imagined and invites them both to a party celebrating that abundant grace.

I believe this perspective underlies the most profound set of teachings in the New Testament, the Beatitudes.

“Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven” isn’t inviting us to assume feeling empty or broken as a state we deserve. Instead, it’s an encouragement to trust that beyond our broken hearts there can be healing and new life.

When we hear “Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted,” we are given hope that our grief can, over time, lead us to discover a humble sense of inner peace.

And there are the other six statements: “Blessed are the meek…Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness…Blessed are the merciful…Blessed are the pure in heart…Blessed are the peacemakers… Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake …” All of these are words of encouragement to do and be the best we can, not dwell on our unworthiness.

Summoning all the best images and intentions as we play golf certainly doesn’t guarantee success every time. The game is designed to both humble and delight us; we will find our way into sand traps often enough. But that’s not when we quit. That’s when we do our best to meet the challenge before us, learn from each experience, and move on.

As maturing human beings, we have plenty of opportunities to recognize our own mixed motives, shortcomings and disappointments. But we don’t stop there. We are here for more than that. We are in this life to learn how to love and endure and serve. That’s worth keeping at the center of our intentions.

Lead image: St. Georges’s Golf Course, Ontario, Canada

Two Kinds of Wisdom

There are at least two kinds of wisdom in this world: everyday and spiritual.

Everyday wisdom focuses on practical advice for tasks and responsibilities. Here are some examples:

A penny saved is a penny earned. Benjamin Franklin “coined” this phrase to encourage people to save money.
Measure twice, cut once. An oft-quoted bit of carpenter’s advice: you can’t “uncut” a piece of wood once it’s been sawed, so be doubly sure you’re beginning where you should.
Failing to plan is planning to fail. A favorite from an engineer friend who was a long-time project manager with large teams and complex projects.
Protect your capital. My father-in-law worked his way off a farm in Minnesota during the Depression and was a dedicated manager of his personal assets. Whenever I’d ask him for financial advice, he reminded me not to take unnecessary risks with whatever funds we had.
You can do hard things. This was on a poster in my wife’s first-grade classroom. In those moments of discouragement or self-doubt, it’s a good way to reset our expectations to match what challenges we are facing. I’ve brought it to mind in critical situations, like when I’m cleaning out a bathroom sink drain.
Dance like no one is looking; text or email as if it will be read in court. This is from an HR consultant and friend who has seen what can happen when people are careless with digital communications.

Every culture has such sayings. These help us manage practical activities. They teach us how to be part of the social order and encourage personal responsibility. When we apply them and find success, we are grateful. Such success can build self-confidence.

But not all of life’s challenges are easy to anticipate, fix, manage, or repair. Like feeling an inner emptiness. Or being humbled. Or deciding if we want to risk being kind. Or wondering why the world out there may seem lifeless. Or trying to decide if it’s worth the effort to help people resolve their differences.

This can be the time when spiritual wisdom offers us direction.

My mother had a framed plaque of “The Beatitudes” on a hook above our sink. I remember her saying they meant a great to her, but I had no idea where they came from or what they meant until later in my life. These teachings of Jesus are examples of spiritual wisdom.

The words of the Beatitudes are profound, but they may sound overly familiar, idealistic, or outdated. I have come to appreciate a contemporary translator – Eugene Peterson — who offers not only a new way to phrase these sentences but does so in a way that makes them seem less “religious” and more true-to-life.[i] What follows is a sampling. I’ll begin with the traditional wording, then follow with Peterson’s version in bold:

Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. This points to that feeling of emptiness deep within we may feel. “Kingdom of heaven” doesn’t mean a far-off magic land, but the divine presence within us, waiting to be discovered. Peterson’s version:You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
Blessed is the meek, for they shall inherit the earth. “Meek” sounds like “weak,” but it means something closer to humble. Pride can blind us to anything beyond our own personal concerns; humility can open our eyes to other people and the beauty of the natural world. When egos recede, souls can rise. You’re blessed when you’re content with just who you are—no more, no less. That’s the moment you find yourselves proud owners of everything that can’t be bought.
Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy. Becoming merciful to others may seem risky, but it can lead us into a relationship with others that goes deeper than feeling pity. Instead, we enter a realm of compassion in which we discover our common humanity and mutual need. You’re blessed when you care. At the moment of being ‘care-full,’ you find yourselves cared for.
Blessed are the pure in heart, they shall see God. It’s hard to imagine being “pure,” without a trace of self-interest. But how about this version: You’re blessed when you get your inside world—your mind and heart—put right. Then you can see God in the outside world.
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God. Seeking ways to make peace benefits others but can be more than that – it’s one more way to find a richer identity beyond our selves: You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.

Everyday wisdom helps us manage our lives. Spiritual wisdom can take us to a deeper place of connecting with our inner self, others, and the graciousness of life.

Over the years I’ve heard people say spiritual wisdom is better than everyday wisdom. I don’t think we have to choose. Managing our everyday lives is pretty darn important, and I appreciate any advice that helps me do that. At the same time, it’s good to know that when our plans, expectations, and assumptions break down or lose their luster, we have another place to go. We then find new ways of understanding that become a richer way of experieincing ourself and the world. When we find it, it feels like home.

[i]Peterson, Sermon on the Mount

Photo: “Custom Craftsmanship” – Dansk Wilton.

Richard Rohr’s has an insightful piece on Jung’s theory of spiritual discovery in adulthood at “Two Haves of Life”

Disciple Dog’s “Bow-Attitudes”

Last year I was preparing a sermon on the “Beatitudes” (Matthew 5: 3-12). I shared some thoughts with Disciple Dog on our morning walks. Next thing I know, he told me he’d created his own list. He called them his “Bow Attitudes.” Here they are:

Disciple Dog Shares His List of “Bow-Attitudes”

DD came up with 7 things worthy of “bows” in his life that day. Since then, he’s been regularly creating fresh lists as a spiritual exercise. He’s taught me it’s a great way to start or end our day, and can help when we can’t sleep or are feeling anxious. It actually is a practice that is useful in all kinds of situations. “Tell them to give it a try,” he told me. I said I would.