There’s a quote from 30 Rock that has been rolling around my head for the past week. Jack’s boss says to him, “You’re in the rough Jack, you got to get back on the fairway.”
Sometimes I get in these modes when stuff gets tough. I just tell myself to put my head down and get to work. And then I do just that, I put my head down, get the job done and when it’s over I look up and realize I have no idea where I am.
You’re in the rough, Jack. You got to get back on the fairway
I’ve never played golf but I know the difference between the rough and the fairway. I picture Jack in the rough, trying desperately to hit his ball out from behind trees, thick grass and weeds. Swing after swing, just using up his energy and hoping for that one good hit that will chip the ball back to the plush green of the fairway grass. The carefully manicured lawn where the golf ball is meant to be. To get back to where he feels in control of the situation.
I can imagine the frustration of someone pointing out to him that he’s in the rough. That where he currently stands swinging is not where he is meant to be. He knows it, you don’t have to point it out to him. He knows where the ball is supposed to go, and he’s got to figure out how to get it back there.
I looked up recently. Pulled my head out of the work and took a look around. Thick grass – check. Weeds – check. Trees blocking my view – check. A few wrong turns, misguided hits and suddenly I’ve landed myself right in the middle of the rough.
I’ve lost it. The momentum that got me here, which is maybe a good thing because here is not where I’m meant to be. Here is not good. Here is not the life intended for me. But I got here. I chose the wrong club, didn’t square my hips, just swung wildly and landed myself here, in the rough.
Luckily for me, each day is brand new. Each morning the sun rises and God’s riches and mercies are renewed for me. The fairway’s out there and by the grace of God I’ll get back out there. Because He is strong when I am weak.
adventures in living an abundant life