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)
We understand lessons learned through suffering and failure. I know. We must experience some things in life before we learn. Maybe God made us this way.
First, regarding golf. I had the good fortune to play golf with Tom Watson a few times on tour before he ever won a tournament. Everyone knew he would be a superstar—it was just a matter of time and experience. In the end, he won eight major championships. But Watson has boldly stated, “It was the 1974 US Open at Winged Foot that was the learning experience to start it all.” He shot a 79 in the last round to lose, yet through that experience, he learned to breathe properly and handle the pressure. He won the first of his eight majors the following year at the 1975 Open Championship. (By the way, for you trivia buffs, Watson’s eighth-place finish in the 1974 US Open at Winged Foot won him $8,000 in prize money.)
What about the more important lessons learned through suffering in this life? Few of us have failed with a chance to win a major championship, but we all have a story to tell about the experiences gained through the crucible of suffering. Maybe we are learning lessons right now.
Sometimes we all need suffering to make us fully awake and alive.Shelby is my good friend from Louisiana who started a Links Fellowship at his home club. He was diagnosed with brain cancer over a year ago. The battle began and is ongoing today. Prayers and progress continue. I received a handmade card from Shelby’s wife during the early stages of the battle. It read:
“Thank you for the love you have shown in so many ways,
The Lord has chosen to alter our path and magnify our days;
Our prayer is that His Light will shine so brightly no one can miss,
That we are ready to be used by Him for a time such as this.”
My wife and I were just with Shelby and his wife and friends at a football game in Louisiana. We were having some good conversation around the dinner table, and the subject of suffering came up. Some were recalling recent lessons learned though these tough times in life. And then someone asked Shelby, “Well Shelby, what have you learned in the last year dealing with your cancer?” There was a long pause and the silence was shattered with his beautiful answer, “Suffering woke me up! I am fully awake and aware of new lessons being learned daily. I just knew about the lessons before. Now I really know priority and who to depend upon.”
Sometimes we all need suffering to make us fully awake and alive. I am now convinced of this truth. I have more faith because of what I have experienced. Thank you, Jesus, for waking us up to the truth that we will be alive forever—with you.
—
Randy Wolff
January 6, 2020
Copyright 2020 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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