…yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. (James 4:14, ESV)
“Will she capitalize on this opportunity?” We hear this when a player has given herself a great chance at birdie or even eagle, or hits a close approach shot that gives her a putt to tie for the lead or to win. An opportunity comes with every shot.
Divine appointments are all around us, so let us pray boldly and go.As golfers, we try our best to capitalize on our good shots to get the ball in the hole in as few of strokes as possible. Frequently, we see that the more golfers practice, the more likely they are to score low. We could say their opportunity for success is higher than those who don’t practice.
Woods, Nicklaus, Spieth, Sorenstam, Ko—all have had the reputation of being closers. When it comes to crunch time, they rarely let an opportunity to climb up the leaderboard pass them by. Nonetheless, even the best of golfers in the world walk off the course at times feeling they didn’t quite take advantage of all their opportunities.
There is One whose timing is perfect, who sent his Son into the world to perfectly fulfill the opportunities set before him. His name is Jesus, the ultimate closer. He took on flesh, was tempted and never sinned, lived the perfect life, demonstrated he was the Son of God by healing the sick, oppressed, blind, going to the cross, resurrecting from the grave, living on earth before ascending back into heaven. He was the perfect sacrifice. He atoned—paid for—what we cannot pay for on our own. We can’t reconcile our own sin by continually making sacrifices, and the good news is we don’t need to! Jesus paid the once-and-for-all price, putting an end to the system of sacrifices.
We have the opportunity today to have a relationship with God through Jesus’ work on the cross. He stands at the door and knocks, not wanting any to perish, but for all to come to salvation. He created you and has a purpose for your life. “Seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul” (Deuteronomy 4:29, NASB). The more opportunities we take to spend time with God, to be involved in our community, local church, serving others, the more we can receive and share God’s love with those around us.
We all have different opportunities for impact in our spheres of influence. Think of where you play golf, work, live, enjoy eating, hanging out, etc. When you frequent the same places, make the effort to get to know the people who you see regularly. There is opportunity to connect and share the good news of our Lord and Savior all around us!
Today, will you take the time with me to reflect on how you are strategically placed where you are to best serve our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and make him known? Divine appointments are all around us, so let us pray boldly and go. Opportunity awaits.
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Aimee Neff
January 19, 2017
Copyright 2017 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.