Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. (1 John 3:18, NLT)
Golf is universal, as my wife and I were able to experience recently when we celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary on a sea and golf cruise to New Zealand. You know what they say: It was the trip of a lifetime! We played six rounds of golf on some of the most scenic golf courses in New Zealand, and as a bonus we were able to play a few rounds in Australia before returning home.
We were also blessed to go on this trip with another Links Players couple from our region, but the trip was organized by a golf company that set up golf competitions with 30 other couples. It gave us an opportunity to meet other golfers from all over the world. As we would meet these other couples, we spent a lot of time with golf, meals, and social time together, visiting different places in New Zealand. When we got to know each other, we extended the conversation beyond golf to family, friends, and faith. Of course, I brought copies of the newest Links Players magazine with me and handed them out, sharing what I have been blessed to do with Links Players over the past 14 years. Due to my conversations about Links Players, there was strong interest with some of the people I met in starting a Links Fellowship at their local golf club.
Today’s passage from 1 John spoke to me as I was meeting new friends from all over the world. I wanted to show my love for them by my actions. As we look deeper into this passage, John was telling the Christians to act on love. Love isn’t just God’s good idea. He wants us to communicate it through our words and actions.
Be all about Jesus. Love each other and people will see Jesus in you.I was in sales for more than 35 years, and the one thing I learned early on in my career was that the buyer wants to know you first before they want to know about your product. When I learned this, it helped me build deep relationships with customers—many are still friends today!
The same is true when we want to talk to others about Jesus. Are they able to see him in us first? I don’t mean acting religious; I mean loving people in surprising ways. When someone says to me that I am religious, I say no, I am about a relationship with God through the person of Jesus Christ. The best compliment I have received over the years is that I don’t talk about religion or politics. I remind our Links Fellowships of this same emphasis on a regular basis. Be all about Jesus. Love each other and people will see Jesus in you.
The one thing great about the game of golf is that we will have relationships with people that we would never imagine. I met a bunch of new people this past month. Some will be friends for eternity.
Whether at home or abroad, go and show others the love of Jesus. We read Paul’s words in Galatians 2:20: “Christ lives in me.” Maybe it’s time to “let him out,” time to let others see who he really is. I can’t love on my own, but Christ can love through me.
—
Dereck Wong
March 9, 2020
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The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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