Golf

Today I went golfing with my dad and two of his doctor buddies. I only started about 4 years ago and haven't had the chance to get much better these past 4 years so I'm still a newbie to the game. But these are three things I learned (and am continuing to learn).

1. Patience. Golf is frustrating and has a steep learning curve. Often the shot I end up hitting is far from the shot I was envisioning in my head and consequently, my bad shot sets me up for another difficult shot. Golf totally is a game where one mistake snowballs into many. I think learning patience is an eternal lesson for me and my patience is always in short supply, especially at home. How can I be so impatient when God has been so much more patient with me? Please pray for me to grow in patience and grace.

2. Humility. Along with the steep learning curve comes a lack of performance and skill. This is probably the only game my dad beats me in. And if you haven't noticed, I'm actually a pretty competitive person and am not really a big fan of losing. But what does winning or losing a game matter when the victory is already won in Christ? I think today helped me swallow my pride and focus on learning and getting better and accepting the criticism and tips from my dad.

How can I be so prideful when I am only anything because of the sacrifice of Christ? Please pray for me to grow in humility and true greatness.

3. Perseverance. Sometimes golf can be a long day when your game is off. A whole round of 18 holes can take 4 hours or more. Further, in a game where one bad shot snowballs into many more, sometimes one might feel like giving up and just moving on to the next hole. I think today stretched my perseverance and while I struggled at times, I managed to finish every hole. How can I fail to persevere when I know the victory is already won and that God promises to carry me through? Please pray for my perseverance.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God. (Hebrews 12:1-2 ESV)