And when the Philistine looked and saw David, he disdained him, for he was but a youth.… (1 Samuel 17:42, ESV)
Ted Scott is a professional caddie. He learned the craft while carrying for Grant Waite and then Paul Azinger. His next gig was with Bubba Watson, and that job lasted 14 years and included two Masters victories.
All that time, Ted was also learning more and more about playing golf. He was already an accomplished player when he began looping, having himself considered playing professionally.
He began dabbling in teaching quite a few years ago and enjoyed it. I’ve seen him teach in person, and he’s good at it.
Now he’s on the bag for Scottie Scheffler. Though he hasn’t hit a single shot, commentators give Ted a lot of credit for Scottie’s four victories, including the Masters.
So, if Ted were caddying for you and gave you some advice about your swing, you’d probably listen. And you should.
But what if, instead of Ted, you got some random caddie named Jim? Would you listen to his advice?
Jim was caddying for our whole foursome, and he wasn’t at all impressive. He a scraggly beard, an untucked shirt, and had given a couple of iffy reads on the greens. Just looking, I could see that I’d been playing golf longer than Jim has been alive.
Would you have listened to Jim? I certainly didn’t want to.
Goliath seemed to think the same thing about David. “This kid? What does he know about battle?”
But Jim didn’t want to fight; he wanted to help.
Job had three wise friends who cared about him. They were successful, loved God, and had all written books about how to live life.
That’s why the fourth friend, the young one with the right answer, didn’t speak up until the end.
When Jim volunteered some advice, without my asking, to keep my head still, I frankly didn’t want to listen. So, I didn’t. But the words seeped in and started to take root.
When I got back home, I went four days without touching a club. When I finally played, I kept my head still. C’etait magnifique! Jim was right.
You may have more confidence in a TV preacher with a $1,500.00 suit than you do in some youth pastor with holes in his jeans. I get it. But if you learn to listen before you look, you will find truth you might otherwise miss.
Goliath, Job, and I can all attest to that.
Prayer: Father, give us ears to hear. May our preconceived ideas and our own pride never keep us from listening to the truth you have for us, no matter how you send it.