CHAMPIONS TAKE RISKS

"…unless you be converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven." (Matthew 18:3, KJV)

I caught a photo of Tiger Woods. Full-dressed in a red and black racing suit, he had just finished the final laps in his racing car, an integral part of his trip to Australia to celebrate the marriage of his friend and caddie, Steve Williams. My first thought: What a risk, he could've smashed into a wall and ruined his career. But there was Tiger, standing tall, smiling.

My second thought: Champions take risks.

Maybe racing wasn't a wise risk. Who am I to judge?

But what amazes me about Tiger is his willingness to take risks even when he's on top of the world. He won the Masters in 1997, blasting the tournament record and almost immediately, after studying the films, changed his swing. He believed he needed to risk change to be his best. He made another major change more recently when he switched coaches and changed his swing again.

Some of my family and close friends feel I'm willing to get out on a limb and take risks. But as I look back on my life, I wish I would have taken more risks.

One of my favorite readings of Oswald Chambers centers on the above text, "These words …refer to our initial conversion, but we should continue to turn to God as children being continuously converted every day of our lives…our natural lives must not rule—God must rule in us." The Amplified Bible expands on the word converted, using these synonyms: change or turn about.

I'm amazed how resistant my will is to change in my character or some personal habit, even when I know it's best for me.

In high school and college I had a loop in my swing. At the top of my swing my clubface was shut. On the downswing I would swing inside out, flipping my wrists, always fighting a hook. Jackie Burke, winner of the Masters and my boss at Champions Golf Club where I worked when I first turned pro, gave me a good lesson laying out a plan to solve my problem.

I had done well with my game in high school and college. I didn't like what he told me.

But I knew he knew what he was talking about.

It took me a few years, but I got rid of my loop.

Our divine coach knows what He is talking about, that which is best for us, and if I will listen to Him He will tell me what change I need to make. Question is, am I willing to listen and get into the process of making the change?

--

Jim Hiskey

May 18, 2006

Copyright 2006 Links Players International

The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.