Let me tell you why you are here. You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You’ve lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here’s another way to put it: You’re here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We’re going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don’t think I’m going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I’m putting you on a light stand. Now that I’ve put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand—shine! (Matthew 5:13-16, MSG)
There was no time to warm up when we arrived at Island Golf Club, the last course we would play on our Links sojourn through Ireland.
We all agreed that if we didn’t like our first tee shot, a “breakfast ball” would be honored. After all, we were just out to have fun and share Jesus with whoever would show interest. My young caddie, Sam, assured me that my first drive was okay, and out of respect for our group, I didn’t take another shot.
When we arrived to find my ball on the side of a hill with an impossible lie, I strongly expressed my dissatisfaction with his opinion of my drive being okay and let him know that he messed up.
At that time and during the ensuing three holes, my light was dim, and I am sure Sam felt my frustration. I finally parred the fourth hole, and to Sam’s credit, he grabbed my headcover, which says, “Changing the Conversation,” and encouraged me to do just that and use the par to set a new direction. It was a wake-up call for me to remember why I was there.
What Sam didn’t know was that he had just opened the door for me to share what we do at Links. I had gotten over the poor start, had a spiritual gut check, and realized that I probably wasn’t shining the light of Christ very well.
Sam started telling me about a friend who committed suicide, and it caused him to go back to church, learn more about God, and trust that Heaven is real. Now, that is why we need to change the conversation!
Matthew 5:6 teaches us that we will be blessed when we seek to be people of personal integrity so the Spirit can use us and others will see Christ in us.
Prayer: Lord, keep us mindful that we are salt and light. Help us not to be so wrapped up in our golf score that we forget that there is a much more important purpose to playing this crazy game of golf. Bless Sam as he pursues you.