A Lesson from Bagger Vance

For the body does not consist of one member but of many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” that would not make it any less a part of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would be the sense of hearing? If the whole body were an ear, where would be the sense of smell? But as it is, God arranged the members in the body, each one of them, as he chose. If all were a single member, where would the body be? As it is, there are many parts, yet one body. (1 Corinthians 12:14-20 ESV). There is a scene in the movie The Legend of Bagger Vance where Randolph Junuh, played by Matt Damon, who is in the match of his life (which involves more than golf), has driven his ball deep into the dark woods with only a small opening to the green. Because of his war experiences, Junuh has lost his nerve and not sure he has what it takes to play the game of golf as the phenomenon he once was. As he stands over the ball trembling from memories of war, his angelic caddie, Bagger Vance, played by Will Smith, says to Junuh, “Lay down your burden and play the game you were meant to play.” And, of course, because its Hollywood, he concentrates and relaxes and hits the shot of the tournament. There are many such scenes in the movie. Some of them provide far more than entertainment. This is one such scene. There is a key principle of life revealed to Junuh by this angelic caddie. It is the same lesson that Paul teaches to the Corinthians in our reading this morning. The whole chapter of 1 Corinthians 12 details the importance of being what God intended you to be. Whatever gift God has given to you is essential to the whole of the community in which you have settled. Like parts of the body, everyone is important. When you accept your “part,” there is meaning. When you try to be another “part,” there will not only be frustration and a lack of meaning for you, but also the community will not function as it has been designed. I am aware that growth comes from accepting a challenge and stretching our abilities. We need to do that sometimes. We should attempt new endeavors occasionally, if for no other reason to be reminded that we are in the right place doing the right thing, the thing we were meant to do. When I left the full-time pastorate, there were many moments that I wondered if I was being “wasted.” It wasn’t until I discovered that being the “part” God designed me to be had nothing to do with job titles that I discovered contentment. Using your gifts to the fullest of God’s design is not a matter of position, but relationship. When I began to realize and accept that truth, real success and joy began to come to me in a way that is often indescribable. I wonder if you have discovered your gifts? If not, seek out a wise friend who can help you see past the surface things of your life and discover the game you were meant to play. When you do, you’ll make the shot of your lifetime!