I love to play golf. For those of you who’ve never played it’s a uniquely challenging game that forces players to compete not only with other players, but more importantly, with the course itself. While other sports undoubtedly provide many life lessons, few games better illustrate our struggle with making good decisions and the risk and reward often times overlooked. In the game of golf, many courses are specifically designed to tempt the golfer and reward the risky well executed shot, but what appears so attractive at first glance may ultimately lead to harsh penalties. By surveying the hazards and evaluating the degree of difficulty, the experienced golfer will consider the risk before choosing the shot. For the wise golfer, often the odds of hitting a poor shot are just too great and the best shot is the conservative one while the less experienced player may take the risk, resulting in bad shots and additional strokes. Of course the game is full of difficult choices and even well thought out shots are not always rewarded but the disciplined golfer is always more successful.

Do you survey the hazards before you make decisions? How many times have you said, “I wish I could have a do over?” You know, a second chance, the opportunity to make a better decision and avoid the consequences. In golf we call this a mulligan. We say things like, “If only I had known what was going to happen I would have made a better shot, a better choice.” Sound familiar? Well maybe we would, maybe not, but ignorance or the lack of knowledge isn’t always our problem is it? Sure, there are times in life when our options are limited, but like the game of golf, many times we’re aware of the risk and simply don’t care. We quickly weigh the cost and decide it’s worth it only to regret it later. Other times, we make decisions without ever considering the risk. We get in a hurry or get careless and don’t take the time to make a wise decision and end up learning hurtful lessons the hard way.

Brothers and sisters, to make good decisions we need good direction, we need God’s direction. Scripture teaches us that life is filled with difficult choices and even well thought out decisions don’t always turn out the way we want, but if we want to avoid the hazards of life we need God’s word. The bible tells us in Proverbs chapter 2 that “if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,” you will be blessed with reverence for God, wisdom, knowledge, understanding, protection, justice and discretion. Without these, how could we possibly make good decisions? We might as well be playing a round of golf in the dark.
Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105
I am the light of the world; he who follows me shall not walk in darkness but have the light of life. John 8:12

In Christ,

John Aldridge
Church Elder