I was ten years old when my Dad brought a golf cart home. It was a junkyard golf cart, with ugly old paint and nearly flat tires. Even then, a half century ago, it was ancient. It had two rear wheels, with one front wheel that was steered rudder style.
To my surprise Dad tossed me the key and said, “Have fun.”
Shocked, and delighted, I stood there dumbfounded for a minute. Then he gave me a brief tutorial – key goes here, forward here, reverse there, turn the rudder the opposite direction you want to turn, now go.
Laughing and with a huge smile, I hoped in and drove it down the street to my friend Greg’s house. Imagine, a ten year old kid driving a golf cart down the sidewalk of a suburban neighborhood!
I knocked on Greg’s door and his mother answered. “Can Greg come out and play?” I asked innocently. She eyed the golf cart in her driveway behind me, took a deep sign as only a neighbor to the Gobles seemed to do, and called for Greg.
That afternoon was like a kids heaven as Greg and I drove up and down the street, the other kids chasing after us, laughing with us, and constantly begging for a ride.
It’s a fun childhood memory. It was a life lesson on responsibility, risk, and fun.
It also reminds me of how Jesus left this world. A little teaching to a dumbstruck bunch of misfits, then, “Hey guys, here are the keys to the golf cart. Have fun!” as he ascends into heaven. Take out “golf cart” and insert “church.” That’s basically what was said.
Two things worth noting. First, yes it was just a little bit of teaching, but it was amazing teaching. Surprising how just a bit can transform us.
And second, what trust! Trust in his clumsy followers to not do anything too stupid and find a way to figure it all out. And trust in the power of faith to transform their lives, and the lives of those they encountered.
The banged up old golf cart I was entrusted with was a far cry from the disciples being entrusted with the church, of course. But the methods Dad used were much like the methods Jesus used.
Teach people. Trust them. Then let them change their world, even if it’s just the street they live on.
Photo from Swico Auctions website. If you want to buy your own old golf cart, click here.