For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39, NASB)
Stephen Hawking died recently. He was one of the greatest physicists in history and one of the most brilliant minds who has ever lived. He was also a staunch atheist who stated, “We are each free to believe what we want, and it is my view that the simplest explanation is that there is no God. No one created the universe, and no one directs our faith.”
Humbly, I think I am a B-/C+ child of God, and yet I would venture a bold statement: I believe that I am smarter than Stephen Hawking.
Before I get to my answer about Stephen Hawking regarding faith, what is your understanding of golf and the part it plays in your life? How do you understand the game, and how does it define you? Is it just a game, or is it vitally important and even consuming?
I recently heard a story about Larry Mize, former Masters champion, from a trusted source. The story is that a young man of faith, who was also an avid golfer, asked Mize how he managed to balance his faith and the demanding game of golf. Larry responded, “Golf is what I do. It is not who I am.” Larry is a brilliant, humble man. He knows something eternally important.
Understanding who we are and why we are here can lead us to the ultimate answer of who God is. Someone said that the greatest enemy to knowledge is not ignorance but the illusion of knowledge. We may become educated beyond our intelligence. We may even believe that with superior wisdom comes the idea that we do not need a Savior. We don’t know of the spiritual cancer in our heart as we try to become the master of our fate.
Some might say that our belief in an all-knowing, all-powerful God is an illusion of knowledge. But Jesus pressed for a decision. He asked directly, “Who do you say that I am?” No one is exempt from answering that most important question. Stephen Hawking and Larry Mize both provided their answers.
In Romans 8, Paul stated emphatically that he knew Jesus and the truth of grace in his life. So did one of my old mentors and friend. He was a doctor by profession, but that did not define who he was. He is a deep man of faith. He knew and loved Jesus. He would answer the question Jesus posed with, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” He knew. And yet tragedy struck. He lost a child in a swimming pool accident. His response after his son’s death told me all I needed to know about his faith. He said through the tears, “I understand I don’t understand.” He will never know all the answers this side of heaven, but he knows where his child is, and that he is going to be with him someday. He knew. He understood. His faith and hope were in the same thing—the promise of Jesus: “In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you” (John 14:2).
Reading and studying the Bible, my life experiences, and my observed response of men and women of faith, as well as the conviction of the Holy Spirit, have changed me. I know this. I was lost and now I am found. Now, that is something I know.
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Randy Wolff
May 1, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.