Bowling 101

The last time I had a game of bowling was probably about 8-9 years ago (yes, I’m old, so what?) . I remember I didn’t like it then and I still don’t like it now :P The idea of throwing a ball to hit several bottle-shape stuff seems more like an activity of releasing stress than playing a sport.

Anyway, I broke the 8-9 years drought on Wednesday when I joined my church’s Sports Connect Group (Sports CG) for a game of bowling. Whoa, not bad. At least I know I improved since 9 years ago but I still don't really like it. It was for pure fun and I'm glad we all had a good laugh at all the funny incidences that happened. How I dropped the bowling ball just before releasing it lah, how Nic the 'Goh-scorer' pose before the strike actually happened (which didn't strike btw :P), how for some people the ball always masuk longkang lah... It was great!

Getting ready to bowl!

Nic, the 'Goh-scorer' and all his poses!
:P

Although I don't like bowling perse, I do however love sports as a whole. I don't mind trying out different sports. The great thing about sports is that there's always "gems" which we can take home; values, lessons and characters that we can apply in other areas of our lives, not just in the area of sports.

Calvin, the 'hidden talent'... wait... More like he bluffed us...
Konon, don't know how to play! :P

Everyone had a try at bowling even though it was new to many.

After our bowling session, we headed for dinner and it was then we took time to share some of the lessons, values and characters that we have learn through the game of bowling. I'm very much encouraged by everyone's sharing. After all, Sports CG is a place for us to share with one another, learn from one another and ultimately, to learn from Him. Some said they've learn to just have fun with the people around them even though they were losing in the game, others said that they've learn to step out of their comfort zone and try bowling even though they didn't really like it, some also said that they've learn to cheer their team mates on even... All these are precious 'gems' that we need to take back and apply into other parts of our lives.

Sports CG!
Time for dinner and also sharing of lives! :)

As for me, I definitely collected a few gems through the bowling experience. This is my personal bowling 101 crash course :P

Lesson 1: It's more important to look at the direction on the lane than at the bowling pins
We had the privilege of having some very good bowlers amongst us the other day... President of Bowling club wei... Hehe. Just before we left for dinner, I asked this Pro-Bowler, "Eh, what's the most important thing about bowling ar?". She then enlightened me, saying that the dots on the bowling alley, which indicates where you stand and position yourself, and the direction on the lane is the most important thing to take note of in bowling, not the bowling pins. As I thought about it, God reminded me that bowling is like facing the different challenges in life.

A lot of times, when we come face to face with an obstacle or challenge in life, we tend to feel extremely small because we focus on the challenge ahead, the bowling pins, so much so that we've forgotten to look at the dots and the direction on the lane. I believe in every challenge that we are placed in, God ALWAYS gives us those dots and direction. In fact, if you think about it, He IS the bowling lane... He is the only way for us to overcome those challenges.

A good picture to illustrate this lesson is the story of David versus Goliath. When David came face to face with Goliath, it was as if he was facing 10 bowling pins. But you know what, his focus wasn't on the pin but instead, on the dots and the direction that God has showed him. He used the 'bowling ball' he had, just one smooth pebble, and hit Goliath's forehead! Strike! Don't fear the challenge, let the challenge fear you because God is on your side.

It's more important to look at the direction on the lane than at the pins.

Lesson 2: We all have a bowling ball in our hands and to release it well, we need to move forward to the lane.
Just as God always gives us direction when we face a challenge, He too will always provide us with a weapon when we face a challenge. God will never leave us in an arena of challenge without any weapon. For David, he only needed one smooth pebble... Yes, just one smooth pebble that's all he needed.

But what happens to most of us is that, we don't use the bowling ball which God has given us. Why? Because we're afraid. We're afraid to (1.) face the challenge and (2.) to step out of our comfort zone. So what will happen is that, we will end up just standing where we are with the bowling ball in our hand and do nothing with it. For us to really utilize the bowling ball, we need to look at the direction on the lane and then "move forward", move out of our comfort zone, and then release the ball. Many times, fear cripples us from moving forward. Don't let that happen because God has already given us the weapon. In fact, He has given us the best weapon that is able to take down any sort of challenges... He has given us Himself! :)

We have a bowling ball in our hands and to release it well, we need to move forward to the lane.

Lesson 3: Our bowling skills will improve as we keep trying
When we played, there were a few of us who were 'professionals' while they were others who were the 'pencuci longkang'. I'm grouped in the latter :P We were all at different levels. Bowling requires one to understand the mechanics of its technical skills. What set some of us apart from the 'professionals' was the fact that they knew the technicalities of bowling more than we did.

Our personal strengths and weaknesses are similar to that of understanding the technicalities of how to bowl. As we keep bowling, our technical skills will develop as we go along just as we will develop ourselves as we face each obstacle. We're all made differently with different gifts but we are all heading toward one common goal and that is to keep moving a level higher in wherever we may be. Persevere and your character will develop (Romans 5: 3-4).

Our bowling skill will improve as we keep trying.

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In hindsight, I guess I wouldn't mind bowling again :P I picked up a few good lessons, well worth the embarrassment of 'cleaning the drain'. Hahaha.

So, the next time you face a challenge in life, go play a game of bowling ;)