Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed. (Proverbs 15:22, NIV)
Golfers of all ages and skill levels are obsessed with finding the next quick fix for their swing or putting stroke. Our insatiable desire hit it further and straighter is met with promises from the latest equipment or swing theory. Golf Channel and golf magazines are wonderful, but they also perpetuate this crazy making addiction.
But here’s the problem: This overconsumption of advice actually creates confusion instead of progress. Ultimately, it’s best to find one voice you trust and stick with it.
While having too many advisers in our golf game is not helpful, Solomon shared in the book of Proverbs that there is wisdom in having many advisers as we make plans for our life and seek to follow the Lord. It’s important to pick these advisers carefully. They need to be people who are spending time in the Word, have an awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses, and are willing to speak truth, even if it’s hard to hear.
In today’s video conversation, I reveal a few of my weaknesses: asking for help, doubting God wants to use me, and the struggle to receive words of blessing into my heart from others. In my early teens, my personal experience began to tell me that it was safer to hide my heart behind pretending I didn’t need help from anyone; in my mind, I was capable of navigating my world on my own. As a professional golfer it felt important to hold on to this same belief in order to survive the competitive world of comparison and performance.
Ironically, the opposite was and is true. God created us in his image and for community where we can encourage and advise each other. I experienced a taste of this community during my twenties and thirties, but my heart was resistant and I struggled at letting go of my self-protection. In God’s mercy he continued to knock on the door of my heart, inviting me to more life. This more came when I was willing to receive help offered by a few men and women who have pursued my heart with kindness, helped me find my words, and who wanted nothing more than to offer me care. I still have my weaknesses, but they no longer keep me isolated from relationship.
Listening to many swing tips might feel good for a moment, but it’s not the path to improving our play. There will always be something new to fix. Golf is a game we will never master and though goodness exists when we strive to be our best, there is something painfully wrong when our performance defines who we are.
Likewise, we will always have weaknesses. Thankfully God desires to use all of them to move into the deeper places of our hearts where we otherwise would never venture. With the counsel of those you trust, begin to name your weaknesses and welcome the alluring love of Jesus inviting you into more.
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Tracy Hanson
May 26, 2014
Copyright 2014 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.