Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. (James 1:12)
When you get to the first tee, how often do your playing partners say, “What are we playing for?” It’s a common occurrence and seems like a very simple question.
However, as I spend more time in God’s word, that question takes on a different meaning. I’m a $5 Nassau player. It’s enough to make the game interesting and help me focus better on trying to win something, but it won’t cause any hard feelings among friends or acquaintances if I lose all three ways.
I’ve seen many friendships damaged significantly by guys playing for more money than they should and ruining the game for everyone in the group because of the tension caused by it. I like the way one of my friends puts it when someone asks him, “What are we playing for?” …His answer typically is, “We’re going to play to see who wins!”
If you play golf very long, you know that every round you play produces trials and challenges that can frustrate you and make you question why you ever started playing this game in the first place.
I’ve had rounds where I was ready to sell my clubs and walk away from the game for good, but as I start to analyze what happened that day and think about the game, I get more excited to tee it up again as soon as possible.
Outside of golf, the trials of life can be overwhelming at times, but if you get on your knees and lay them at God’s feet, he will be faithful to walk through those trials with you.
Today’s scripture reminds us that there is a greater cause to play for, and we need to encourage others to compete for the souls of those around us. Being steadfast means working with unshakable determination. God rarely, if ever, asks us to do anything that doesn’t require us to give it everything we’ve got. However, he is faithful in supporting us if we walk in obedience. Every day is a test, and if we choose to walk with the Lord, we can remain steadfast and blessed under trial.
I encourage you to spend more time studying God’s Word with unshakable determination and see how blessed your life will be.
The next time someone asks you “what are we playing for?” Try saying “The crown of life” and see their reaction. Maybe they’ll ask you what you mean by that, and it will open the door to a great conversation that they need to have and allow you to share the good news—just a thought.
Prayer: Father God, walk with us today through the trials of life and teach us to be steadfast in our pursuit of you so that we may share your blessing with others. Amen.