I've been on hiatus from regularly playing golf this year, and a couple weeks ago I began getting "back in the swing." It's always a bit of a slog to work through the lack of rhythm, physical fatigue, and bad habits which accompany a extended layoff. I started golfing in my youth because it was fun, and I have reached an age where it is also an effective exercise. Walking the course is a great way to stay active and challenge yourself at the same time - which is even more challenging when constantly duffing, hooking, and slicing everywhere!
Just recently I was talking to friends about how Gammy (my Grandma - but don't ever call her that!) over the age of 65 had a hole-in-one. Over the years I have had a couple of pitches roll in and a few approaches bounce off the stick, but I never really came close to an ace. Someone in the conversation added how a woman had three holes-in-one in a single round! When standing in the tee box addressing the ball I started thinking, "Why not today? Sure, I've never had a hole-in-one, but why not today?" And then I promptly shanked a tee-shot to the left or sent an approach shot over the green.
Well, today turned out to be the day. All those awful shots were quickly forgotten on the 17th hole at the Windsor Country golf club (120 yard par 3) as I watched my ball sail high off my Vokey wedge, drop with a smack on the green, and disappear into the cup. It's something I always knew was theoretically possible but I never imagined what it would be like to happen. My exuberant shouts attracted a pair about to tee off on the 12th hole, and I still had my hands raised over my head as it was confirmed the ball had gone in. I shouted, "I guess there's a first time for everything!" and then began the satisfying walk to retrieve the ball.
As I walked toward the green with a ridiculous grin I couldn't seem to shake off, my thoughts went to what I was telling myself before I made the shot: why not today? It occurred to me there are all sorts of accomplishments we have never experienced in the past but by God's grace could experience today. Making a hole-in-one was exciting, but what if today is the day when you share the Gospel and as a result a person is born again? Now that would be really exciting! How many things God has planned for us that we are completely unaware of, circumstances and opportunities which can forever change our perspective. Asking "Why not today?" is irrelevant in relation to a golf hole-in-one if I do not play golf, and I cannot expect people to respond to the Gospel (from me) unless I make a practice of declaring and living in light of it.
Take heart friends: there were many shots I executed poorly in today's round of golf, but I wasn't without hope because I kept on. I've seen videos of people mid-round throwing their gear in the lake because they were so over it. As long as we keep following Jesus there is always unfailing hope for us, because our hope is in Him. Let's keep sharing the Good News. Let's keep taking our best shot in obeying Him. Sometimes we will miss the mark. We will falter and fail at times along the way, but Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Don't be discouraged or give up because times are difficult: keep on going, keep on trusting, keep on obeying our LORD and Saviour Jesus. It is He who will help us accomplish things we never dared to imagine was possible.
Just recently I was talking to friends about how Gammy (my Grandma - but don't ever call her that!) over the age of 65 had a hole-in-one. Over the years I have had a couple of pitches roll in and a few approaches bounce off the stick, but I never really came close to an ace. Someone in the conversation added how a woman had three holes-in-one in a single round! When standing in the tee box addressing the ball I started thinking, "Why not today? Sure, I've never had a hole-in-one, but why not today?" And then I promptly shanked a tee-shot to the left or sent an approach shot over the green.
Well, today turned out to be the day. All those awful shots were quickly forgotten on the 17th hole at the Windsor Country golf club (120 yard par 3) as I watched my ball sail high off my Vokey wedge, drop with a smack on the green, and disappear into the cup. It's something I always knew was theoretically possible but I never imagined what it would be like to happen. My exuberant shouts attracted a pair about to tee off on the 12th hole, and I still had my hands raised over my head as it was confirmed the ball had gone in. I shouted, "I guess there's a first time for everything!" and then began the satisfying walk to retrieve the ball.
As I walked toward the green with a ridiculous grin I couldn't seem to shake off, my thoughts went to what I was telling myself before I made the shot: why not today? It occurred to me there are all sorts of accomplishments we have never experienced in the past but by God's grace could experience today. Making a hole-in-one was exciting, but what if today is the day when you share the Gospel and as a result a person is born again? Now that would be really exciting! How many things God has planned for us that we are completely unaware of, circumstances and opportunities which can forever change our perspective. Asking "Why not today?" is irrelevant in relation to a golf hole-in-one if I do not play golf, and I cannot expect people to respond to the Gospel (from me) unless I make a practice of declaring and living in light of it.
Take heart friends: there were many shots I executed poorly in today's round of golf, but I wasn't without hope because I kept on. I've seen videos of people mid-round throwing their gear in the lake because they were so over it. As long as we keep following Jesus there is always unfailing hope for us, because our hope is in Him. Let's keep sharing the Good News. Let's keep taking our best shot in obeying Him. Sometimes we will miss the mark. We will falter and fail at times along the way, but Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Don't be discouraged or give up because times are difficult: keep on going, keep on trusting, keep on obeying our LORD and Saviour Jesus. It is He who will help us accomplish things we never dared to imagine was possible.
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