Lessons from golf…

I tend to see negatives more than positives (pessimistic). I like being by myself, tune out small talk and carry burdens that belong to God. Every now and then, world news or sad news closer to home can become too heavy and I want to escape into humor, or into the marvels of God. 

At the same time, sincere and serious spiritual discussions are enjoyed and helpful. If a prayer warrior prays with me, deep joy comes along with it, particularly if that prayer puts a strong focus on the goodness and power of God. To combat negatives, I occasionally open a devotional written by Phil Callaway, a Christian comedian who uses golf experiences as his illustrations. He is funny but serious, knows Jesus and that the Lord can use anything to instruct him. For instance, he uses this quote to begin today’s reading:

“We learn so many things from golf — how to suffer, for instance.” — Bruce Lansky

Callaway goes on to describe a tough course that is like golfing in a fog. He tells of one hole over a hill where the hole could not be seen from the tee box and his father had to lift him up so he could see the flagstick.

He describes that with humor, then likens it to how the people in the downtown area of New York navigated by the trade towers. One man told him,  “Everything is located in relationship to them. We can’t believe they’re gone. We’re simply disoriented.”

His point is that few things in this life remain constant, certain, unchanging. I can relate. Friends move, or die, or their health declines. Callaway says he sometimes longs for those days when his father would put him on his shoulders and show him the direction to take. 

I can relate to that too, and thankful that we have a Father who lifts us up to see what to do next. I remember having lunch at the same table as author and missionary widow, Elizabeth Elliot. Someone asked how she accomplished so much and how did she structure her life. She replied, “It is easy. I just do the next thing — and I always know what it is.”

I no longer golf and Callaway didn’t say this, but walking with the Lord is like golf. Hit the ball, go where it lands, and hit it again. Persist. Take the next shot. I usually know what it is.

Procrastination is easy though. The hill hides that flagstaff. What iron do I use? How many times will I need to hit this? Yada, yada. But as God says, persistence pays off. The part that is easy to resist is the way endurance is learned:

Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:2–5)

Temptation to quit comes often, especially if prayers go unanswered and labor seems to produce no harvest. As for the temptation, the Father lifts me up to see this:

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it. (1 Corinthians 10:13)

And another thing, developing persistence is not for me, but for others. When I want to quit, it is usually for selfish reasons. Again, the Father shows me where to aim:

And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, (2 Timothy 2:24) 
Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. (2 Timothy 2:10)
Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. (1 Timothy 4:16)

These instructions do not totally forget my needs though. God wants me to “hit the target” stay out of the traps, and be encouraged to keep trying:

For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope. (Romans 15:4)

PRAY: Lord, when I feel like quitting, Your Spirit and promises lift me up. You remind me this is not a game like golf, but it does have objectives. You want me to have the same things that I pray others will have. So I will persist in praying that all Your people will be filled with the knowledge of Your will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so as to walk in a manner worthy of You, fully pleasing to You and bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of You, and giving thanks. (Colossians 1:9–10) So be it!