God, your God, has set you above your companions by anointing you with the oil of joy. (Psalm 45:7, NIV)
You can expect to hear any number of choice words when a playing companion sends a tee shot into the water or blades a wedge across the green. I won’t repeat those words here. What I will affirm is that this catalog does not include “happy,” “joyful,” or “fun.” In fact, if our golf buddy left a shot in the bunker then announced, “I am so glad I did that,” we would question his sanity.
True joy—in every context—is found in Christ. We don’t muster it up or find a better psychology; we find Jesus.Golfers on the whole can be a pretty grumpy bunch. Aren’t we the ones who, even after a great round, say, “Yeah, but I left at least three shots out there”? If misery loves company, every group should be a fivesome!
Many professional golfers employ sport psychologists now for the very purpose of negating their negativity. They know it can’t be helping them to walk the course in doubt or frustration. So here’s news: It can’t be helping your game either.
I have been told frequently by non-golfers that they tried the game but couldn’t stomach it. “Too frustrating,” was their assessment. Just as often I have heard committed golfers who are experiencing a bad day on the course say, “At least we’re out here playing golf and not in the office working.” In other words, both parties have given up.
I get it. Most people are smart enough to know that if your aggravated responses on the course are a rehearsal for frustration in life, you aren’t doing yourself any good. So they stop—either altogether or for the day.
Is that good enough? Is giving in the same as walking in victory? Hardly.
More than that, James’ exhortation to “count it all joy” when we face trials (James 1:2) brings its own dose of disturbance: How is that even possible?
Today’s passage gives us a glimpse of the answer, though, coupling true joy with the victory we can have. The writer of Hebrews explains that the lines of Psalm 45 describe Jesus, our Savior. He is the one anointed with joy. That’s the secret. True joy—in every context—is found in Christ. We don’t muster it up or find a better psychology; we find Jesus. In him we have hope in the darkness, and victorious joy conquers our frustrations.
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Jeff Hopper
April 14, 2017
Copyright 2017 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
OTHER DEVOTIONS IN THIS SERIES:
Golf & Life Fundamentals 1: Alignment
Golf & Life Fundamentals 2: The Grip
Golf & Life Fundamentals 3: Posture
Golf & Life Fundamentals 4: Mechanics
Golf & Life Fundamentals 5: Target Focus
Golf & Life Fundamentals 7: Finishing