“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
One of the things I love the most about golf is that it is played worldwide and that two people who do not speak the same language can play the game and understand what is going on. They know each other’s score, when a shot is good, when they are taking a penalty drop—all of that without a word. I’ve witnessed this at junior tournaments abroad, where a group of players will travel from different countries and not speak to each other as none of them is fluent in the other’s language. Yet is beautiful to see them come together and understand each other thanks to a sport.
I know that God has used golf as a vehicle for me to travel to various countries and make friends from around the world. During my time on the Symetra Tour, we used to rotate who led fellowship each week among the five of us. Julia was from Australia, Martina was from Argentina, Vic was from Brazil, Izzy was from Canada, and I was the lone American. Others from a variety of countries attended, and together we grew in the awareness that God is Lord over all the earth. It was powerful! He is not just the God of North America or South America, but over the entire earth and everything in it!
Together we grew in the awareness that God is Lord over all the earth. It was powerful!Now as a college coach, I am thankful to have players from four countries on our current roster: United States, France, Denmark, and Germany. It never ceases to amaze me the number of international players that are here in the States to receive an education and play golf, as we are the only country that allows them to do both school and sport at a high level in university. This provides a unique mission field for college coaches and those affiliated with college athletics.
I realize you may not have an obvious mission field with international students, but would you consider who God has put in front of you or around you that you can invest in and share the love of Jesus with? Maybe there is a healthy mix of backgrounds at your club or workplace.
Write down people’s names (even if you have to guess at the spelling for now!). I encourage you to be intentional to pray for them. No matter where you work or live, it is no accident you are there, and as followers of Christ, we are called to be a light for him. Pray for those you work with, live with, your family, and neighbors. May God give us boldness to share the gospel and to point others to the only one who was ever perfect and can save us.
In Christ, there is forgiveness of sin, newness of life, a love everlasting and an assurance forever. It’s a message that everyone needs—all nations!
—
Aimee Neff
November 21, 2019
Copyright 2019 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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