Fashioned to Win

Recently, on a beautiful evening in Myrtle Beach, we took our oldest son Steve, his wife, Leah, and their three boys to Top Golf. Top Golf offers the experience of a driving range for up to six people in a bay, along with the opportunity to add on food and drinks to enjoy. Upon arrival, you are assigned a bay on one of three floors and given two hours of play. Each golfer is registered, and the golf balls have a microchip. When a player takes their turn, they can see how far their ball travels and hit specific targets to earn points. For each game, you get twenty drives. It’s competitive, especially if you are playing with brothers!

While none of the boys has ever played golf on a course, their shots off the third level were impressive. They enjoyed trash-talking and competing against each other to see who the best was. Thankfully the two oldest boys each won one game each.

After the evening of Top Golf, my oldest grandson began searching for used golf clubs on Facebook Marketplace, assuming the game was about the drive. While having an incredible drive is impressive, there is a saying in golf, “Drive for show and putt for dough!” They were about to learn what this means.

The following morning, we went to a Par Three course, and they experienced regular golf for the first time, though a Par Three is less difficult than a normal course. In less than twenty-four hours, the boys went from loving golf, as they swung and hit impressive drives off the third floor at Top Golf, to questioning the fun of this game, as they hit balls in the water, sand, and everywhere but where they intended them to go, as we played on a Par Three course.

After eighteen holes on the Par Three course, they quickly realized there was much more to the game than long drives. Much practice and discipline is required to play golf well.

Let’s compare golf to our spiritual journey. We all have some impressive moments (drives), especially when viewed on social media. However, if you are determined to live for Jesus long-term, your daily spiritual disciplines (short game) decide your long-term success.

Paul wrote about the disciplines of spiritual training in I Corinthians 9:23-27

“Don’t you realize that in a race, everyone runs, but only one person gets the prize? So run to win! All athletes are disciplined in their training. They do it to win a prize that will fade away, but we do it for an eternal prize. So, I run with purpose in every step. I am not just shadowboxing. I discipline my body like an athlete, training it to do what it should. Otherwise, I fear that after preaching to others, I might be disqualified.”

 What can you do to maintain spiritual discipline? Here are a few suggestions that have helped me and may help you.

First, commit yourself to a Bible reading plan. Mediate on God’s word, and it will keep you on mission.

“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalms 119:11 (NLT)

Second, protect your heart. Don’t be pulled by people, places, or things. Focus on the truth that God has a beautiful plan for your life. Live with purpose!

“Guard your heart above all else, for it determines the course of your life.” Proverbs 4:23 (NLT)

Finally, never give up. While playing golf with my grandsons, I heard them voice their desire to quit many times, but then they would have a long drive or perfect putt, and hope was reborn. Stay the course.

“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, and I have remained faithful.” 2 Timothy 4:7 (NLT)

I want to finish my race and win the eternal prize and inspire others to do the same thing.

Love serving you!

Liz