But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” (Acts 10:14-15, ESV)
I’ve watched a lot of golf through the years. Not much surprises me anymore. But recent events have left me gutted.
First was Lexi Thompson’s back nine at the Olympic Club in the US Women’s Open. I know the place has a haunting history when it comes to big-name leaders and “comfortable” leads, but this was a victory lap in the making. And then it wasn’t. Touch shots and meaningful putts had “tentative” emblazoned across them. Thompson missed even the playoff with bogeys on the last two holes.
A Sunday later, Chesson Hadley, a former PGA Tour Rookie of the Year who filled the cover of the Links Players magazine in 2015, was looking for his first Tour win in seven years. He entered the final round with a four-shot lead and still led by two with three to play. Then came three straight bogeys, which is more unusual even than a triple bogey for these great players. Hadley, too, lost the lead, the victory, and a trunkload of spoils.
From afar, I hurt for Thompson and Hadley. On other days I might have found reasons to celebrate the wins of those who did, but Yuka Saso and Garrick Higgo are just getting started. Little did I know them. I hadn’t even a fan’s connection with them. Next time I will.
Maybe the most important element in assembling a proper perspective on life is a developed awareness that we only think we know. We only think we know what will happen today, where we will be tomorrow, what God’s order of operations is for our life.
God someday will change your plans just when you’re sure you know what they will be.
Recently, Links Players president Jeffrey Cranford interviewed John Griffith, a member at The Hideaway Club in California who is active in the Links Fellowship there. For golfers, the story is interesting because of John’s personal friendship with Ben Hogan at Shady Oaks Country Club in Fort Worth, Texas. But John’s bigger story includes several stunning experiences that show how little we know about what is to come in life. (Sit a while and watch it here)
The apostle Peter obviously knew Jesus. As he ministered throughout Israel in the years following Jesus’ time on earth, Peter saw much of what he had seen during those years with the Lord—namely, miracles and ministry. But it was all in a Jewish context. Naturally. Of course. What else could there be?
And then came the dream. In it, God told Peter it was time to set some of those Jewish strictures aside. The good news of Christ was for everyone. Peter couldn’t fathom the idea, but he knew this: What God wills, happens.
You may get caught off-guard today—not with a great golf disappointment, or a plane crash like John Griffith, or a unique vision like Peter. But God someday will change your plans just when you’re sure you know what they will be. In that moment, will you be able to stand back and say, “Lord, whatever you have for me, the day is yours”?
—
Jeff Hopper
June 22, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.