Everyone kept feeling a sense of awe; and many wonders and signs were taking place through the apostles. (Acts 2:43, NASB)
Anthony Bourdain, the chef and travel writer, once said, “If you’re 22, physically fit, hungry to learn and be better, I urge you to travel—as far and as widely as possible. Sleep on floors if you have to. Find out how other people live and eat and cook. Learn from them—wherever you go.”
I’m not 22 and my fitness is diminished, but I am still hungry to learn, to be better, and to see places I have not seen. More than that, I like to go places with people who like what I like, which usually means golf.
I recently returned from a golf trip to Alabama with about 30 hearty souls. The trip was arranged and implemented by Tim Philpot and featured PGA Tour oldies Bill Rogers and Wally Armstrong. Tim has a unique way of interjecting suspense and laughter and God’s truth into a golf setting. When you combine all these ingredients, you are filled and joyful for a greater purpose in life.
What made this time so good? It was a great golf course, fabulous food, and well organized, with ample time for golf as well as fellowship and discussion. I loved the messages from those who shared because they were so real and transparent, making me realize again that we all have great needs and fall short, but that we have hope in the answer Jesus gives us.
I want to be discipled and disciple others with nuggets of truth amidst conversations that may change eternity.
While God’s Spirit was among us, Tim reflected after the event, “We had too many pastors and holy men. We needed some rebels who would sneak out to bars at night and come home right before their tee times.” Our time together was so good that I believe the rebels and skeptics would have been drawn to God’s message of grace and forgiveness as well. The truth is that we are all rebels and skeptics and God still loves us.
So, what will I remember? I will remember the stories and emotion I felt. I was feeling a sense of awe and wonder that evolves in the lives of those who become vulnerable enough to share their needs and as well as their victories.
The early church must have been somewhat like this, sharpened in the process of community. I don’t want to just play golf and return a score that will be forgotten by breakfast the next morning. I want to be discipled and disciple others with nuggets of truth amidst conversations that may change eternity. When this kind of conversation happens, and we are given time to reflect on its significance, then we will feel the awe and wonder that the early church must have experienced. This simple time in the spring in Alabama will nourish us for the road ahead. We seek. God fulfills.
I traveled with a man on this trip who had just started a Links Fellowship two years ago. After we returned, he tried to explain to his wife the significance of the trip but could not finish the conversation without shedding tears of joy. I think he experienced this awe and wonder on a simple golf journey to Alabama. It can be a real good thing. For now, and also forever.
—
Randy Wolff
July 6, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
Photo by Gene Gallin on Unsplash