Disc Golf Devotionals

Two Horses

As noted in previous devotions, many of the topics of Disc Golf Devotionals originate through surfing the internet. Facebook and other sites have a tendency of displaying the same old stories over and over again, but every once in a while one comes across my feed that shouts "share me"! Maybe, very simple tales, but ever so thought provoking. Others take deeper thought to understand but instill the same "lights on" feeling that gives you that ..ah ha moment! Below is one of the latest to come across my feed:

Two Horses
Author Unknown

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it. From a distance, each horse looks like any other horse. But once you get a closer look you will notice something quite interesting... one of the horses is blind.

His owner has chosen not to have him put down, but has made him a safe and comfortable barn to live in. This alone is pretty amazing. But if you stand nearby and listen, you will hear the sound of a bell. It is coming from a smaller horse in the field.

Attached to the horse's halter is a small, copper-colored bell. It lets the blind friend know where the other horse is, so he can follow.

As you stand and watch these two friends you'll see that the horse with the bell is always checking on the blind horse, and that the blind horse will listen for the bell and then slowly walk to where the other horse is, trusting he will not be led astray.

When the horse with the bell returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, he will stop occasionally to look back, making sure that the blind friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away just because we are not perfect. Or because we have problems or challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us when we are in need.

Sometimes we are the blind horse, being guided by the little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives. And at other times we are the guide horse, helping others to find their way.

Good friends are like that. You may not always see them, but you know they are there. If you listen for my bell, I will listen for yours. I have experienced many instances where I thought I was leading, only to ultimately to find I was truly the receiver of very special blessings. That is the nature of our powerful God.

Remember, everyone we meet is fighting some kind of battle, show them care and compassion. Spread kindness and always remember we walk in faith and not by sight.

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So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17

If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. - Galatians 5:25

Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor - 1 Corinthians 10:24

Don't walk behind me; I may not lead. Don't walk in front of me; I may not follow. Just walk beside me and be my friend. - Albert Camus

Just Quit!

Have you ever been in a round where your play was so horrid it seemed the round lasted forever? The frustration of bad releases and trees in your way just seemed insurmountable. After a few holes you just want to quit, right?

Many a disc golfer has quit the game due to such rounds. Yes, they usually come back upon the next invite for a round (and once the pain of such a round has faded), but the urge to quit sometimes visits us all!

Rounds such as these aren't much fun. But, they are part of the reason why we all keep going out onto the course. As certain as these bad rounds are to arise, slick rounds filled with birdies and awesome drives come around just as often. We know this as well! This knowledge is a bit like keeping the faith ... as bad as it can get, we know better days are ahead!

Galatians 6:9 backs up this concept as it states: "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."

We do grow weary of bad rounds, some of us more than others. However, we do enjoy good rounds too. We just have to keep the faith, and keep practicing, and continue our journey.

On a similar note, I believe we all are growing tired and weary of the pandemic of COVID-19. It has us all "off our usual game"! Back in March when the "fright" of the virus had courses locked down and vacant, we all pretty much had to quit in some way or another. The onslaught of the virus had many weary of playing in groups and kept them away from the courses. Now, some nine months later, we are seeing rising cases again and the possibilities of more restrictions placed on our daily lives.

Whether one believes the virus is real or not does not matter. It's presence has influenced how we live, where we go, and how we interact socially. Life is not the same. Everyone wishes it will return to normal. We can't quit the game of life. It plods on virus or no virus. We lean on our faith that God has a plan and better days in store for us soon. Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us:

"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope."

The Bible is full of verses of hope, sacrifice, patience. God surrounds us in the darkest of times and promises His light will bring us through the dimly lit portions of our life. Understanding the reasons of horrible rounds, or even viruses, coming our way, is not our concern. Our relationship with God protects us, and guides us to better times. Once again, our faith brings us through.

Keep the faith. The Light does overcome darkness.

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For God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control - 2 Timothy 1:7

Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you. - Deuteronomy 31:6

He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might he increases strength. Even youths shall faint and be weary, and young men shall fall exhausted; but they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint. - Isaiah 40:29-31

2 Thessalonians 3:13
As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good

I form light and create darkness, I make well-being and create calamity, I am the Lord, who does all these things. - Isaiah 45:7