In their case the god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Corinthians 4:4, ESV)
Playing golf, even if you ride in a cart, can be good exercise. And we know that exercise is good for our physical well-being.
I don’t dislike exercise. I can go to my gym and watch muscled members lift weights on machines that I have no idea how to use and be impressed by it. Sometimes I try it myself.
But my favorite exercise is playing golf, and on days when everything falls into place, I still walk and carry my clubs. Not all 14 perhaps, but at least eight or nine of them.
Now I learn that playing golf is also actually good for my mental health!
Clearly the person who conducted this study, I thought as I read, does not play golf. Because as you know, golf can make you crazy.
We were made to be in relationship, and a round of golf provides that recreationally just as a Links Fellowship provides it spiritually.But as I thought about it more, I could see the point. People who play team sports like basketball and soccer, the report said, experience 22.3 percent fewer poor mental health days than those who don’t exercise. Runners and joggers only have 19 percent fewer poor mental health days than those who don’t exercise.
Recreational sports, including golf, top the charts at 22.9 percent fewer poor mental health days.
All of that points to the truth that being in relationships is one of the best things in life, and it is also one of the best things about golf.
Of course, the best relationship is a relationship with God through Jesus Christ. Even Satan knows that and has blinded the minds of unbelievers to keep them from that relationship (as we see in today’s verse).
But even a relationship with God is enhanced when it is shared with others who have the same relationship. In fact, that is exactly how God designed our relationship and how he designed us.
We were made to be in relationship, and a round of golf provides that recreationally just as a Links Fellowship provides it spiritually.
There are times when I like to play golf alone, and there are times when I want to be alone with God. But if I only played or worshipped alone, I would lose out on so much that I gain from being in the company of others.
So take heart, all of you who play golf. Both your minds and your bodies will be better for it. But don’t forget to also be in God relationships, because your spirit will long outlive your body.
—
Lewis Greer
October 16, 2018
Copyright 2018 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.