Golfers, if you've been following the "Preparing for the 2016 Golf Season", we promised to separate the dual focus, so here's the spiritual parallel to the second post.
We're preparing ourselves for the 2016 golf season and the first question we asked was;
"What am I trying to accomplish?"
Golf is a tough game and so is life!!! Way back in the day (1975, see waayyy back) I had the dream to play on the PGA Tour. The problem was, I was a Second Lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Germany with my new (incredibly beautiful wife, Anne). The PGA Tour dream consumed me so once we got somewhat settled into the regimen of life in Eschborn, FRG, I made sure I was able to work on my game, play and compete whenever and wherever I could. I read about golf. I practiced at 5:45 AM in the morning after we conducted our Physical Training. I did this in camouflage pants, tee shirt and combat boots hitting balls behind the gym in the mud and dust. I spent every afternoon and weekends at the Rhein Mein Golf Club just about 18 kilometers from my workplace, annddd, I normally didn't get home until well after dark most days.
We're preparing ourselves for the 2016 golf season and the first question we asked was;
"What am I trying to accomplish?"
Golf is a tough game and so is life!!! Way back in the day (1975, see waayyy back) I had the dream to play on the PGA Tour. The problem was, I was a Second Lieutenant in the US Army stationed in Germany with my new (incredibly beautiful wife, Anne). The PGA Tour dream consumed me so once we got somewhat settled into the regimen of life in Eschborn, FRG, I made sure I was able to work on my game, play and compete whenever and wherever I could. I read about golf. I practiced at 5:45 AM in the morning after we conducted our Physical Training. I did this in camouflage pants, tee shirt and combat boots hitting balls behind the gym in the mud and dust. I spent every afternoon and weekends at the Rhein Mein Golf Club just about 18 kilometers from my workplace, annddd, I normally didn't get home until well after dark most days.
This was all well and good and I did attain a modicum of success with a runner up finish in the Club Championship, qualified for the 8th Army Championship and for the All-Army Team a few times, but, there was something missing in all of that. Besides the mess I made of my marriage. (She hung on, Praise God.) What was missing, you ask?
Was this my purpose?
What do you mean; "my purpose?" I mean, was it what I believed the Lord wanted me to do? Well, the truth is as I relive this experience, I realize, I didn't even know the Lord at that point in my life! I no more would have thought about seeking "the Lord" than I would have worn a skirt and makeup!! It was all about me, brother, all about me. I wanted to be good at this game and nothing was going to get in my way as I contemplated journeying to the big show, the PGA Tour. That's right, "The TOUR"! I believe if each of us that have been able to play the game fairly well (and a few who can't, lol) were honest with ourselves we would admit that we see ourselves as being able to "make it" on the Tour.
Forget about the fact that I was a newly married lieutenant platoon leader responsible for securing a portion of the Fulda Gap if the hordes from East Germany and Russia decided to bust into the traditional invasion route into Western Europe.... for goodness sake, I wanted to be on the Tour!!
Was this my purpose?
What do you mean; "my purpose?" I mean, was it what I believed the Lord wanted me to do? Well, the truth is as I relive this experience, I realize, I didn't even know the Lord at that point in my life! I no more would have thought about seeking "the Lord" than I would have worn a skirt and makeup!! It was all about me, brother, all about me. I wanted to be good at this game and nothing was going to get in my way as I contemplated journeying to the big show, the PGA Tour. That's right, "The TOUR"! I believe if each of us that have been able to play the game fairly well (and a few who can't, lol) were honest with ourselves we would admit that we see ourselves as being able to "make it" on the Tour.
Forget about the fact that I was a newly married lieutenant platoon leader responsible for securing a portion of the Fulda Gap if the hordes from East Germany and Russia decided to bust into the traditional invasion route into Western Europe.... for goodness sake, I wanted to be on the Tour!!
Finally, as I reflect back upon that; I was a pretty good soldier/officer. I was a less than adequate husband, but, I was a golfer with about a 5 handicap and to heck with all of my other responsibilities. Despite my shortfalls and NOT recognizing God's purpose in my life at that time, my hindsight is 20/20 that God allowed that time in my life to mold me and later Save me for His purposes in the future (eternity as well) as His ambassador in His Kingdom on earth to effect others to look seriously at their current situation and determine God's purpose in their lives now and into the future.
Mine's to G.O.L.F. or Give the Gospel thru Golf.
What's yours?
Amen
In Him
Bill
Mine's to G.O.L.F. or Give the Gospel thru Golf.
What's yours?
Amen
In Him
Bill
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