Hole #17
Well we talked about the need to focus on the last two holes that we have in front of us, and that was never truer than right now. Sam the previously mentioned “disgruntled golfer” that was in front of us, has decided to join us for the final two holes.
Ever felt pressure to perform?
Like everyone was watching you and seeing if this “Christian” thing was any different than what they thought?
Well maybe it’s because I am tired, but I am feeling that right now.
Well on to 17…
Number 17 should be a relatively easy par 3 hole before the final Par 5 of the day. This Par 3 is uphill to the green.
I am starting to feel the 4 hours we have already spent on the course. At the end of the round the sun and exercise can start to be felt so I am a little tired at this point. Losing a little of the strength and mental sharpness I started with.
Well Sam’s Tee shot was great (he must have worked through his anger issue); mine on the other hand was less than spectacular. In fact it was about 180 yards and just long enough to miss the green (short) and roll back down the hill about 40 yards.
Well it could have been better but rather than lose my wits and thus lose my witness I shrug it off and let Sam know “I’m over it”.
…time to move up to the green and see if I can rescue par.
Well it is not just me that is tired…the battery light lit up on our way up the hill to the green…
In life we get worn down.
…we get tired
…we get frustrated
…we get upset
So what do we do at those moments? How do we handle them? How do we persevere?
If we lose our wits in those moments, it is possible to lose our witness with whoever is present.
“Preach the Gospel at all times, use words when necessary” St Francis of Assisi
They may look at us and say “Well there a Christian but there is no difference between them and me: they yell, they swear, they give into peer pressure, they conform to the same things I do”
So how do we stand out?
How can we remain the “salt” and have bite?
How can we set the positive example?
Scripture teaches a thing or two:
Are we perfect?
Philippians 3:12-14 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
Do we have help?
Matthew 7:7-8 "Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Persevere?
James 1:11-12 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich man will fade away even while he goes about his business. Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.
Training, is it needed?
1 Corinthians 9:26-27 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.
It is just like the athlete who trains for their sport. They push themselves in practice. They push their muscles to fatigue to make them stronger. They practice till they get it right. Till they know the plays backwards and forwards, so when the pressure situation comes it will be second nature. They can then react with what they know will succeed…
…what they have practiced.
Well funny hole. I was able to keep my composure and chip it up within 6 inches of the hole and make the par putt. Sam miss-putted and had to settle for par as well. He was not as happy, all goes back to perspective.
Now on to the tricky and long Par 5 number 18!
