In this you greatly rejoice, even though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been distressed by various trials, so that the proof of your faith, being more precious than gold which is perishable, even though tested by fire, may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. (1 Peter 1:6-7, NASB)
Golf is having a good year. With more than half of US courses closed in late March and throughout April (thus losing over 20 million spring rounds), the National Golf Foundation still reports golf rounds in the US are up three percent over last year.
“Thank God for golf!”
I have heard that statement more than once over the past couple of weeks, sometimes made by people who may not in their heart of hearts believe God has anything to do with it. But I have also heard it expressed by believers who are just happy to be able to get out in the sunshine and spend time with one another. One friend of mine claims his weekly round together with friends is the highlight of his social calendar.
Yes, thank God for golf. And thank him also for the trials he brings our way. They are an even greater and longer lasting blessing.Funny how that works. Life on this planet can drag us down, making it easy for us to buy into the world’s values—what people think about us, our bank accounts, our success in business, our toys, and the list goes on. When many of these things get stripped away due to forces outside our control and our lives get simplified, we are forced to give thought to what is really important. At this time, golf has become even more important to those of us who play it regularly. Yes, there have been adjustments. The rules have changed as to how we can interact and relate to one another, but the game goes on and it gives to us something we value highly but have taken for granted most of the time: contact with people. We spread out around the tee boxes and greens, but the jokes continue. While many of us are not comfortable going inside to the nineteenth hole to rehash the round, we bring a cooler and lawn chairs and sit outside just so we can spend more time together.
The stripping away of the world’s value system shouldn’t be sparked only by the pandemic. It should be a regular part of walking with Christ, and it comes in various shapes and sizes. Trying times usually result in an introspective look at ourselves. But the stripping away can also come from something that happens at work, an event in our immediate family, or simply the grind of daily living. The apostle Peter likened it to the process used to purify gold, resulting in a faith that will bring glory to God. It can come early in our walk with Christ or later in life. It can come often, it can be seriously deep, or it can be a few simple course corrections on a frequent basis.
In the midst of these times, God is there with us, doing his work in our hearts and drawing us nearer to him. Yes, thank God for golf. And thank him also for the trials he brings our way. They are an even greater and longer lasting blessing.
—
Bob Kuecker
September 30, 2020
Copyright 2020 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.