“REED” This
Golf
The modern game of golf is understood to have been developed in Scotland in the 1400’s. There is some debate as to similar games being played in Europe many years before being the actual origins of golf, but most agree the game we now know to be golf came from the Scots. Basically, the game is played with a small ball that is hit with a stick with a crook on one end. A player tries to hit the ball with the stick into a hole across a field, with the desire of hitting the ball the least number of times as possible. A full game consists of eighteen holes, with each hole varying in length and difficulty. When the ball is hit, it is called a stroke. Each hole is given a set number of strokes that a player is expected to need, called the par, for the ball to get in the hole. Adding the pars of all eighteen holes gives you the par for the course. This is usually seventy to seventy-two. When a person plays a course, he/she is essentially playing against that course. The player is trying to hit the ball the exact number of times as the par number. Thus, the average score for professional golfers is seventy-two. Of course, when someone’s score is less than the par, they basically beat the course. Now, that may happen more with professionals, but a lot less with amateurs. The average score for an amateur golfer is one hundred. That is basically needing one and a half more strokes than par on each hole in a round of eighteen. Most golfers would not consider that to be a good score. Yet, depending upon the golfer, how many years they have played, their physical condition being considered and other things, that may be a great score.
I had the opportunity to play this wonderful game of golf earlier this morning. I’m happy to say my score was under the average for amateurs. However, it wasn’t the best score for me personally, but not too bad since I haven’t played in several months. I still enjoyed it. A golf course can be a beautiful work of art with its wonderfully sculpted fairways and greens, wonderfully manicured grass and sand traps, beautiful ponds and lakes, and challenging layouts of doglegs and hole placements. Add in the natural beauty of God’s creation and scenery that is all around the course, along with wildlife, and it can be quite pleasing to the eye. The game itself is challenging and frustrating, yet it is enjoyable and rewarding. It amazes me that many times I will stand on a tee box and look out onto the beautiful fairway in front of me where there is a lot of short, green grass and after I hit, the ball still goes off to the right or left in taller, thicker grass or in the brush and trees along the side. That’s called the rough, by the way. And if you go too far, it’s called out of bounds. Even though it may be a bit narrow, there’s plenty of room in the fairway where the ball could land safely and I have a clear, unobstructed view to the green for my next shot, but for some reason it’s hard to keep it in that area. I try to keep the clubface square upon impact and swing correctly, but my lack of regularly playing shows as my shots are inconsistent in landing and staying in the fairway. In order to be consistent in one’s golf game, one must be consistent in playing. Once every four or five months won’t help my game. If I want to be better and play more consistent, I need to be playing much more regularly.
As Christians we want to stay on the straight and narrow, sort of like staying in the fairway. We don’t want to veer to the right or left where we can get into trouble. It’s easy to veer if we don’t stay consistent in our daily Bible readings, study, and prayer. When we spend time with God each day, it is much easier to live our lives in accordance with His ways. If we’re not consistent in spending time with Him, we forget things and our focus is on the world and our own desires instead of on the Lord. The focus of our minds and hearts needs to remain on God and His Word. As we do that, the Holy Spirit keeps bringing to our remembrance God’s Word and how it applies throughout the moments of our day. Galatians 5:16 says, “So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves.” Then verse 25, “Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.” When we remain consistent in spending time with God in His Word and in prayer, the Holy Spirit is able to fill us with His knowledge and wisdom and we are ready, with His strength, to walk the straight and narrow path of righteousness.
Having a good golf game takes time to develop and you must play regularly. Living a Godly life takes regularly spending time with our heavenly Father. And when we stay on that straight and narrow fairway of the Christian life, it’s definitely a great day.
Bro. Paul Reed
Tuesday, March 1, 2022