Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. (1 Corinthians 9:24, ESV)
Have you ever picked up a book and just read the middle chapter of it? Or sat down to watch ten minutes in the middle of a movie? If that’s all we read or watched, it may seem a bit chaotic, unclear and disorganized. We may pick up on a theme or two, or who one of the main characters is, but how can we know until we see the end?
In the same vein, if you only watch a golfer play holes nine and ten and jump to conclusions about how their round is going, you could be terribly off. In short, we cannot consistently predict how a round is going by just seeing a snapshot. Someone’s game may impress us in a short amount of time, but whether that player will have endurance to finish the round or tournament strong is unknown.
While strength and conditioning coaches have moved to training golfers in more dynamic ways to help with speed in the fast-twitch nature of the swing, it still takes mental and physical endurance to be a great player. The saying is old, but it still rings true: It ain’t over till it’s over. Being two-under with one to play and triple-bogeying the last to miss a cut or lose doesn’t get written down as an “almost 70” or a “near win.” It simply is a 73.
We are to focus on running the race that God has laid out for us, not someone else’s, all the way until God calls us home.Regardless of how long a player has been managing her game well, she still has to finish all 18 holes (or more) to win. The player who is able to move forward as quickly as possible after a mistake and stay present until the last shot is holed has the best chance for success.
We do well to apply the same mentality to our faith. Endurance matters. Persevering in the faith is something I am starting to be more acutely aware of as I witness friends turn from God because of tragedy or a difficult marriage and family situation or job frustrations. I do not know the end story and where God has them in their journey, but I do know God has called us to be faithful in serving him. We are to focus on running the race that God has laid out for us, not someone else’s, all the way until God calls us home.
In a time of difficulty, it’s a challenge to remember, but nothing is too hard for the Lord. This may be the greatest purpose in our troubles—that we are reminded of God’s strength. A close second is that God is building our character during such times. Remember James’ words: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (James 1:2-4).
God is a redeemer and wastes nothing in our lives; every incident can be used to glorify him and grow us into his likeness. I encourage you today to keep pressing on, one step at a time, and to know God can turn setbacks into setups.
—
Aimee Neff
July 18, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.