But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14, ESV)
One of the wonderful things about golf is that anyone who plays can accomplish something.
You can make a hole-in-one, for instance, and that is a wonderful accomplishment. You can break 100 for the first time, or 90, or 80, or even 70.
You can make your first birdie. You can make two or more in one round. You can make an eagle! You can even make a “double eagle,” also known as an albatross, on either a par 4 or 5. All of those are awesome.
The accomplishment I think about the most these days is shooting my age. I’ve only done it once so far, at 71.
In order to keep me humble God gave me Randy Karcher, my good friend and Links colleague. He first shot his age at 65, shooting 63.
My friend Rex has beat his age by 11 twice and 12 once. He shot a 69 when he was 80, playing a tough 6,400-yard course.
Recently, I played with Links Player Tom Kirk, who is 92. He beat his age that day and loved it.
I could go on about this, but I am even more fascinated by another question: how do I shoot my spiritual age? I’ve been a Christian for decades. Can anyone tell?
There are several New Testament passages that encourage us to grow up spiritually, and a couple of those are rather pointed. The verse above is preceded by this: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God.” Ouch!
In 1 Corinthians 3:2, Paul says, “I fed you with milk, not solid food, for you were not ready for it. And even now you are not yet ready.”
About twenty years ago, I played a round of golf with two friends and a fellow we met who worked at that course. When I putted out on 18, I said, “83! Not bad for my first round in four months.”
To which the stranger said, “You can play golf that well and you have ignored the game? You should be ashamed of yourself.” And he walked away.
Over the years I have come to see that his words were like Paul’s to Corinth, a righteous reprimand.
I needed to embrace the game. I did and still do in spite of getting older.
But I also embrace my spiritual walk where age can be a definite advantage. I’d like to invite you to do the same.
Shoot your age. You can do it!
Prayer: Father, our bodies wear out and weaken as we age, but our spirits can get stronger. Give us the resolve to keep growing for your honor and your glory.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.