“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, ‘I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,’ and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked.” (Revelation 3:15-17, NASB)
We had just finished our Links Fellowship Bible study, and Joe asked for prayer requests. There were many concerns going on in people’s lives. And then Larry said something rather unique that we don’t hear often: “I have hit some good golf shots in the past, but I also have so many saved up because I didn’t get out there and try. I have let so many other things get in the way. I am on the back nine in life. It is now or never.”
I thought, “Where is this prayer request going?” Then Larry finished his thoughts with this, “So here is my prayer request: I have done some good in the past, but I also have chosen to be somewhat timid and not stepped out in faith and done what I know I should do. The past few years have made me stronger in my faith, and I want to be bolder and try to do more kingdom work that will stay with me forever. It is now or never. Please pray that I will be bold and let it go and trust more. That’s it—let it go. Hold nothing back. I pray my faith will be the most important part of my life until God calls me Home.”
“Please pray that I will be bold and let it go and trust more. That’s it—let it go. Hold nothing back.”If you’ve spent time with me, you know one of my favorite C.S. Lewis quotes is this: “Christianity, if false, is of no importance, and if true, of infinite importance. The only thing it cannot be is moderately important.” Larry now understands that this journey of faith is of infinite importance. When you know this truth, all else diminishes in significance.
I have come to believe that there is one thread of commonality that runs through every Links Fellowship I have been involved with—the study of God’s word and fellowship with each other leads to importance and life change. Those who dig in begin to understand that this time of study and fellowship is so needed and very relevant in living life well. It transitions from something on the to-do list to the realization that I must be there. Larry concluded with, “This time is important, and I need it.”
A few years ago, I had the honor to baptize Larry’s older brother Ben. After the baptism, Ben confided to me, “Randy, I have always thought that this faith in God is just something that is personal and private. I now know that it is very personal, but it can no longer be private.” I smiled and gave Ben a big ole hug.
It was in 1986 that I first believed Jesus had saved me from my sins. All these years later, I am beginning to understand the magnitude of that choice, and it always spills over into gratitude. Gratitude leads to boldly stepping out in faith and going for it. I have come to believe that this faith journey is of infinite importance. My prayer now is that God would provide all of us opportunities and the courage to “let it go.” He deserves nothing less.
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Randy Wolff
November 5, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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