If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen. (1 Peter 4:11, NIV)
Bryson DeChambeau has won again. And so the questions persist.
Among writers, readers, and other commentators, there is a sideshow fascination with DeChambeau. His one-length clubs, his compass-marked yardage book, his data-filled mind: these are among the characteristics that provoke curiosity—because, let’s just say it, DeChambeau is an oddity. He doesn’t do things like everyone else.
He doesn’t talk like anyone else, either. The scientific expressions that pour from his mouth make for laughable soundbites in the hands of video editors. Some reporters shake their heads, utterly confused. Others wonder if half of it is a put-on meant to keep us all on the outside looking in. It’s hard to say.
But even where the respect for DeChambeau is unmitigated, this is true: It’s all about Bryson. His idea, his quirks, his routines, his words. There is little interest, let alone praise, for the influences who have nurtured his passions and trained his mind. Where we hear adulation for the man, we do not find such praise for those behind the man.
To prop up our identity or gain personal recognition, we try to prove we’ve got what it takes to excel. This robs God of the praise that could be his.In light of our passage in 1 Peter today, we can look at this in two different ways. We might say that those who serve behind DeChambeau—his caddie, his coach, his manager—serve so that the golfer himself might be praised. We might alternately say that the minds of worldly observers will always attach themselves to who stands before them, in the natural, rather than look for the supernatural influence that allows that one to stand. Let’s take up these consideration for a few moments.
First, we must recognize the strength we are given to do anything at all. This comes from our Creator and sustainer. Any extended bout with sickness will remind you of the blessing of health and strength. But it is also fair to say that some will be stronger than others, according to God’s provision. We must not say that we cannot serve because we are not strong. Instead, we serve as we can, according to the strength we are given.
Second, we function in his strength, not our own. It’s a common error to push beyond the strength God gives. We ignore the need for rest and reflection and “just keep plugging away” even when it is clear that this is not what God intends. Instead, to prop up our identity or gain personal recognition, we try to prove we’ve got what it takes to excel. This robs God of the praise that could be his.
Which leads to our third point. Our service is meant for God’s praise. We are like the members of a tour player’s support team. But our tour player is Jesus. And the work we do, we do in his strength so that he may receive the glory. We want people to see God’s supernatural influence in our lives.
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Jeff Hopper
November 7, 2018
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.