“In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33b, ESV)
Athletics have a well-known pedagogical function. That is to say, through sport we learn the value of things like teamwork, unselfishness, trusting in a veteran’s wisdom, and discipline—usually delivered by great teachers like John Wooden or Vince Lombardi.
Golf is no different in that respect. We could spend hours discussing the variety of ways that golf teaches us important life lessons. To mention a few, golf teaches:
– self-government (we call rule violations on ourselves)
– honor (the winner of the previous hole hits first)
– diligent practice (to play well requires learning and consistent effort)
– magnanimity (hopefully, we still doff our cap and extend a hand in congratulations).
Of all the things golf teaches us, perseverance has to be somewhere at the top of the list. We learn this lesson from playing golf as well as from from watching it. For example, when a tour player, after suffering a bogey or worse, bounces back with a birdie run, what do we typically do? Take mental note and marvel at the value of perseverance. And we should! It would have been much easier to throw a club, unleash a verbal tirade, or just walk off the course. By watching a pro bounce back with birdies, we are reminded that “continued effort to do or achieve something despite difficulties, failure, or opposition” is essential to success in golf and life (definition from Merriam-Webster).
Life, like golf, is filled with defeats. It is safe to say that no one meanders through life unscathed by disappointments. It is also safe to say that how we respond to those disappointments and defeats largely shapes the trajectory of our lives. Additionally, how we respond to life’s disappointments also sends a message to those watching us, for good or for ill.
The disciple of Jesus is eventually confronted with the daunting decision to persevere or quit in the face of life’s difficulties.
Scripture teaches us that following Christ through this life is fraught with peril, whether it is self-inflicted by personal sin or externally produced by standing for righteousness in the public square. Either way, the disciple of Jesus is eventually confronted with the daunting decision to persevere or quit in the face of life’s difficulties. Furthermore, the reality of life’s hardships customarily awakens us to our own weaknesses, making it all the more difficult to carry on. With knees buckled, hearts crushed, and the fire that once fueled our wills now extinguished, we search for some motivation to press ahead.
So, what do we do in those moments when getting off the mat just seems impossible? Sometimes it enough to simply know he is “for us and not against us” (Psalm 118:6; Romans 8:31). However, many times we need to remind ourselves of his unfailing promises. As promised, Jesus:
– Never leaves nor forsakes us (Hebrews 13:5)
– Never allows us to suffer beyond what we are capable of enduring with his help (1 Corinthians 10:13)
– Always leads us in triumphal procession (2 Corinthians 2:14)
– Makes all grace abound to you (2 Corinthians 9:8)
– Sends another Helper, the Holy Spirit, to us (John 14:26)
– Grants us access into his presence (Ephesians 2:18)
– Remains faithful, even when we are faithless (2 Timothy 2:13)
– Will come again and take us into the new creation (2 Peter 3:13; Revelation 21:1).
—
Dennis Darville
April 19, 2021
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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