Now the Lord God had planted a garden in the east, in Eden, and there he put the man he had formed. The Lord God made all kinds of trees grow out of the ground—trees that were pleasing to the eye and good for food. In the middle of the garden was the Tree of Life and the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Genesis 2:8-9, NIV)
The Waste Management Phoenix Open produces the largest crowds on the PGA Tour who consume excessive amounts of alcohol, break decibel sound barriers on hole 16, and forget acceptable human behavior.
The stadium hole’s hillside amphitheater provides a natural social hub for golf fans. It is close to the spectator entrance, and the straightforward par-3 makes anything possible. However, the novel football-like fan experience at TPC Scottsdale has pushed beyond controllable limits.
The 2024 tournament reached new milestones of drunkenness, leading authorities to close the gates and stop the sale of alcohol on Saturday. By Sunday, many tour players were frustrated and angry at the out-of-control behavior.
We can only hope the tournament organizers will make changes and future fans will not continue doing what is right in their own eyes.
At the beginning of creation, God provided Adam and Eve with everything they needed in the Garden of Eden. God’s goodness also knew he had to teach them limits. So, he placed one tree in the middle of the garden they were not to touch.
“The Lord God took the man and put him in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it. And the Lord God commanded the man, ‘You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat from it you will certainly die’ (Genesis 2:16-17).”
God instructed Adam and Eve to work and keep the garden, to participate in expanding his creation, and to enjoy the fruit of their labor. God also asked them to trust him with the one no (the tree) in a sea of yes’ (everything else). His goodness is wrapped with limits.
Unfortunately, they chose to do what was right in their own eyes.
We are no different. We want God’s goodness without limits. We want comfort without adversity. We want success without hard work. We want God’s blessings while doing what is right in our own eyes. God’s goodness doesn’t work like this.
On this side of the cross, God’s goodness is in Jesus. Jesus is God’s yes when we need to turn from doing what is right in our own eyes. We need to study Jesus. But life with Jesus also includes limits, not to punish but to protect us.
Are you experiencing God’s goodness and limits? Are you trusting God when he says no, or are you choosing to do what is right in your own eyes?
Prayer: Lord, I need help today. Help me trust you in all ways – when you say yes and when you say no.