When the disciples reached the other side, they had forgotten to bring any bread. (Matthew 16:5, ESV)
Each year before the WM Phoenix Open I help with Tales from the Tour. Blessings abound as tour pros talk about their life on tour, their struggles, their joys, and their faith.
More than 1,000 people attend in person and many more watch the event live online. One of the peripheral blessings at the live event is the chance to see many friends in one place.
For me, those include Links Players from Fellowships around Arizona, as well as several Links Players who drive over from California. They come in part to support Links president Jeffrey Cranford, who expertly interviews the players.
This year some California and some Arizona Links Players met on a golf course the next day. One of the Californians was Craig Williamson, who doesn’t play anymore but rides along, enjoys the day, and shares some of his vast knowledge about playing the game.
So it was that he said to me, “You have to swing left, Lewis.” I had not been doing that. This time, with a little more than 200 yards to the hole, I swung left and put the ball on the fringe.
After Craig complimented the shot, I thanked him for the advice. Then I said, “The truth is I didn’t need to be taught to swing left, but I did need to be reminded.”
Even pros can forget. Scottie Scheffler, for instance, uses a reminder grip in practice. It’s too bad there isn’t a reminder grip for Christianity, where I also forget.
I forget to aim my ball toward a target. I forget to aim my thoughts toward God. And those are just two things I need to be reminded of.
Unlike the disciples, I rarely forget about food. Very much like them, I sometimes forget that life is more than food (Matthew 6:26).
In golf a pre-shot routine should remind you about grip, posture, aim, and calm. In our faith life, God has provided reminders throughout the ages. Passover reminded the Israelites of their deliverance. Communion reminds us of ours.
Let us remind each other to swing on the proper path — and always to walk in a manner worthy of the Lord.
Prayer: Father, forgive us when we forget to do the things we know we should do. Thank you for the gentle reminders you send our way. In Jesus’ name, Amen