And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:24-25, NIV)
My practice routine is about to change. Why?
Club championship season is approaching. These are gross stroke play events with no cap on scores, so the game needs to be sharp for the duration of these multi-day competitions.
I’ve been a contender in recent years, but a certain part of my game has stalled my Sundays. Here’s a peek behind the curtain.
The first frustration involved four shots from the same bunker on number five. You’d think I would have been relieved to be out of the cat box on the fourth attempt, but the final skull sailed across the green, hit a cooling fan, and disappeared into a nearby creek. Unfortunately, the hole was far from finished—but my tournament was.
Three years ago, a friend caddied for me on the final day. His assessment after the round? “Man, if you could just get out of the sand, you would have been right in the thick of it.” Ouch.
I was reminded that fellowship doesn’t require a large group.
And two years ago, I managed yet another four-shot fail, this time from the greenside bunker on the seventh, to drop out of contention in all-too-familiar fashion.
Three potential victories undone by my bunker buffoonery. Thus, the upcoming alteration to my practice sessions, as I’ll be attempting to gain the confidence needed to brave the dreaded golf beaches under September Sunday pressure.
Similarly, I think many Links Players will alter their faith routines in the coming weeks, as some Links Fellowships take a summer break for rest and recharging. As today’s verse encourages, however, we are not to give up meeting together. So how do we solve the conundrum of meeting while not meeting?
It is said of my state, “Everything’s bigger in Texas.” May I suggest that bigger is not always better? Take advantage of this respite to meet in more personal settings.
I just had coffee with a former member of my club whom I hadn’t seen in some time. He revealed why he left the club, an admission I’m certain he would not have shared in a group setting. I hope I was able to encourage him, but I know the one-on-one time was an encouragement to me, as I was reminded that fellowship doesn’t require a large group. As Jesus said, “For where two or three gather in my name, there am I with them” (Matthew 18:20).
We are called to spur one another on toward love and good deeds. For the weeks ahead, let’s focus on that “one another” until we gather as groups again.
—
Drew Hamilton
July 19, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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