ELVIS, WILL SMITH & MATT DAMON. Pts. 1-3

After lunch today, my wife and I set off on a day trip; something we enjoy and something we have done more of lately.

And as I so often tend to do, (and since we are paying good money for it), I punched in the Elvis Channel. And whereas, I can listen to Elvis songs on YouTube all day long, it is the old Elvis stories I love, can’t get enough of, and which George Klein, “The King’s” best buddy and current DJ, shares on a recurring basis that I can’t get enough of.

Following is one of these stories.

A few years after Sam Phillips recorded Elvis’ first song, the latter found himself doing a two week gig with a guitarist and drummer in Las Vegas.

As my wife and I neared our destination, a woodsy pathway leading down to one of the larger lakes in the county, an audio recording of Elvis’ farewell performance reverberated from the car radio.

The announcer steps forward.

“We have enjoyed having this fine young lad with us, and wish him the best as he leaves Vegas.”

Elvis speaks.

“Thank you. You’ve been a great audience. We’ve had a pretty hard time, uh, a pretty good time here.”

And as a counselor, it immediately occurred to me.

A Freudian Slip.

Except for one performance set aside for teens and young adults, his initial appearance in the desert city had met with mediocre applause and even worse reviews. He and his compatriots had, indeed, had a pretty hard time here.

The late D.J. Fontana, Elvis’ first drummer, accompanied Elvis on his initial trip to Las Vegas, and he was the special guest of George Klein on the recorded program to which we are listening.
“I think Elvis ‘jumped the gun.’ It was simply too soon in his career. While it worked very well for him later, he should have waited on Vegas.”

Following is something I wrote several years ago; something which speaks to the subject of Times and Seasons, and Godly decision making.

Pt. 2

I love one particular scene in the movie, “Bagger Vance.”

But to back up a bit. In this movie Matt Damon and Will Smith portray an exceptional amateur golfer, and what I refer to as a “golf angel.”

Matt (movie name, “Junah”) finds himself playing in an exhibition match against the two best professional players in the world. Will, (movie name, “Bagger”) has been sent to help him with his game, but more so, to increase his belief in himself, and his own abilities.

After falling 10 or 12 strokes behind the leader, and as Junah steps up to the 12th hole, and his club is on the backswing, Bagger interjects, “Suh, you’re doing this all wrong. The way you’re going about this match won’t never work!”

Junah lowers his club, takes a step backwards, and stares at Bagger in unbelief.

“You stop me in mid-swing to tell me that? I’ve chosen my shot, and you just interfered with me completing it.”

Bagger smiles a whimsical smile, and responds, “You don’t choose your shot… The shot must choose you.”

Junah is incredulous. “What? What? The shot must choose me? Why, that’s the most ridiculous thing I’ve ever heard!”

To which Bagger grew very serious, and appeared to be preparing for some momentous revelation.

“Mr. Junah, in all the world there’s only one true, authentic shot. One shot that’s right for that particular green, for that particular hole on the course. The shot must choose you.”

Junah seemed to pause and reflect, and it was as if suddenly, he gets it. After reflecting an additional moment he steps up to his mark, and asks Bagger for a different golf club. He gazes upon the hilt, the shaft, and the business end of the club, draws back, and strikes the ball.

And it was as if time slows down, and the crowd follows the ball with their gaze. Its arch and velocity sends it hurdling directly towards the flag. And the ball drops within feet of its target. Junah’s audience roars its appreciation, and a smile breaks out on our hero’s face.

“You know, Bagger, don’t let anybody tell you no different. You are one great caddy!”

Bagger smiles, and responds. “Why, thank you, suh. I do what I can.”

Pt. 3

I have often reflected on this scene in that much better than average movie. And I think there’s more than a secular principal at work here. I believe a spiritual concept shines through.

For I think, (and scripture infers) that before our Creator breathed the worlds into place, He was thinking of you, and me. Not as some vast, earthly hoard, mind you, but He was thinking of each one of us by name, and He already had some pretty magnificent plans laid out for every one of us.

“Before I ever took my first breath, You (meaning God) planned every day of my life.” (Psalms 139:16) What an inestimably powerful statement!

And if our Lord thought of us before the beginning, and if He already had some pretty awesome plans in store for us, Bagger’s statement can’t help but be true.

THE SHOT MUST CHOOSE YOU

There exists, then, one best, most authentic, singular shot for each of us at any given time, in any given circumstance, one best course of action, one best option, that ought to drive our choices and decisions.

Now I’m not referring to whether you shop at Walmart or K-Mart, or whether you fish in a nearby pond, or not so nearby lake. No, “The Shot Must Choose You” is all about those crucial, “I simply must get it right” kinda decisions that come to all of us, such as the selection of a job, a ministry, or a best friend.

When Junah declared Bagger to be a great caddy, he had it just about right. But Bagger proved to be more than a great caddy. For he had been sent to serve as a great mentor figure to this insecure young man, but a man with the potential for greatness permeating his small frame.

Indeed, the shot must choose us. It must choose you. And it must choose me.  For ultimately, this is the only way in which we will ever truly fulfill God’s plans for us on the earth.

Indeed, I believe the shot must choose us, and it is paramount that we get it right. Our very destiny is at stake. I believe it would be pleasing to God that every one of His children pray the following simple prayer, and pray it on a daily basis.

“Oh Father, great Ruler of the universe. You Who knew me before I was formed or ever took my first breath,… let the shot choose me.”

by William McDonald, PhD. Copyright pending