Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. (Romans 12:12)
I love and appreciate the parallels between golf and life, and I spend a lot of time thinking about how to combine golf and ministry for God’s glory.
I’m also always amazed at how God’s word can instruct golfers the same way he is trying to instruct followers of Jesus. Today’s verse guides us on how to live our lives in service to Jesus: Rejoice in hope. Be patient in tribulation. Be constant in prayer.
But how does this guide golfers? A sports psychologist once said, “Great players NEVER hit and hope.” You have to be confident, right? What if I “hit WITH hope?”
That gives me a different feeling. Hope is described as the part of faith that focuses on the future. We should always be looking forward with positive expectations, so hitting with hope matters. Swinging with hope would be beneficial, put me in a better frame of mind to play with freedom, and lead me to a place of success.
I don’t know about you, but if tribulation is defined as hardships, trials, and suffering that we encounter, I have a lot of tribulations on the golf course. Being patient during those times will benefit me more than anger and frustration.
Praying constantly is kind of a “gimme” for us as Christians. However, as with a lot of God’s Word, this is simple, but it’s not easy. It doesn’t say to be occasional in prayer or pray when I have time.
It says to “be constant” in prayer. I would encourage you to pray that God will allow you to share his truth with other players as you walk the fairways together. Be ready for those opportunities. They may not come every day, but we must be prepared when they do.
I encourage you to listen to what Scripture tells us in all instances. Hit with hope (live with great anticipation of hope), be patient when trials and tribulations come your way (whether on a par five or in your everyday life), and be constant in prayer both in your life and for your golf partners.
Remember that golf and your Christian walk are simple but not easy. Let’s do the work with the expectation that God will honor our work!
Prayer: Father, teach us to rejoice in all you provide, give us opportunities to show patience, and help us remember to be constant in prayer. That prayer would guide our lives in service to you. Amen.