But from there you will seek the Lord your God and you will find him, if you search after him with all your heart and with all your soul… For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them. (Deuteronomy 4:29, 31, ESV)
In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses was God’s megaphone exhorting the Israelites to remember his commandments in the land of milk and honey. Moses also foretold the consequences of when they would turn away and chase after other gods. Despite the deceitfulness of the Israelites’ hearts that would lead them astray, God’s love and mercy always makes a way for his people (right down to us) to return.
It amazes me how golf parallels life in many ways and I see no exception in my own experiences. One of the perks of being a tour player is instant access to the “latest and greatest” equipment. The company reps roam the practice areas looking for the next unsuspecting pro to push their tools of the trade on. It doesn’t take long for a tour pro to begin fiddling with their equipment (especially the driver), even if nothing is wrong with it. We are easily led astray with the newest equipment and the promise of grandeur.
I was lured into trying new clubs many times. More often than not, however, the outcome was not helpful. In the middle of my career, I also turned away from my faithful swing instructor. I was frustrated with my performance and the physical distance that separated us. I felt like a fish out of water choking for oxygen, and in my desperation I started chasing after other teachers searching for my elusive cure.
In my cyclone of desperation for stability, I finally committed to one set of clubs and one instructor. Choosing to trust both kept me grounded through the mountaintop and valley experiences of competitive golf. Regardless of the results each week, I found a surge of hope again.
The same dynamic is true for our hearts. The evil one schemes daily to lure us away from our God. To resist him, we must be active participants in setting the compass of our heart on the real true north, Jesus. As we seek him, search for him, and draw near to him, our hearts will become and remain steady, teachable, and alive. This can feel hard because life is messy, but God in his mercy is waiting for us with open arms.
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Tracy Hanson
September 11, 2015
Copyright 2015 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.