Study 19: November 6th to 12th 2006

Readings from the Gospel of John
Reading – John Chapter Ch 3:22- 30.

“A man can only receive what is given to him from heaven. You yourselves can testify that I said, “I am not the Christ but am sent ahead of him.” The bride belongs to the bridegroom. The friend who attends the bridegroom waits and listens for him and is full of joy when he hears the bridegroom’s voice. That joy is mine, and is now complete. He must become greater; I must become less.”(John Chapter 3 verses 27 to 230 (New International Version).

One of the great benefits of playing golf as a member of a golf club is the many friends you make along the way. While there is a friendly rivalry when you are playing golf and maybe an occasional wager on the game, the friends you make is one of the reasons why you play the game. There are not too many golfers who play the game on their own all the time.

There is great joy when you play golf and bring home the winner in your group. This happened to me recently when I played with two young members at Oatlands Golf Club who won the foursomes championships. In golf there is always the winner, and the rest leave and lick their wounds and look forward to the next game.

Our reading this week speaks about the relationship that Jesus had to the one whose job it was to prepare the way for his coming; John the Baptist. John was asked about the fact that many people starting to follow Jesus and less and less listening to him. You can read about this comment by reading verses 22 to 26 of Chapter 3. Since John knew his role was to prepare the way and his job was now done, he was happy to fall away from the limelight.

John’s joy was in the fact that people were following Jesus, the one he prepared the people for. John shows us a great example of humility that is one of the key characteristics God looks for in us and is valued in sport as well. Humility recognizes the gifts of others and is happy to rejoice in their success.

It is often said in sport that champions are arrogant; that you have to be single-minded and selfish to be a champion. I don’t agree with this. There are certainly some champions that display these characteristics, like the Australian Cricket Team. But I don’t see this with Rodger Federrer, the number one tennis player in the world, or with Tiger Woods.

Humility is about having a sober assessment of our abilities, but also realizing that the world is bigger than us. John was able to see beyond himself to Jesus as the most important person in life as the one God anointed to bring new life to the world. John clearly tells the people that he is not the Christ, (this means the one God anoints and sends to bring new life) but his role was to prepare the people for his coming. Now that Jesus has arrived, his job is finished. John’s joy came in people turning to Jesus, not himself.

Golf can easily become a sport that evolves around us; so much so that we miss other important things in life. I learnt a lesson in this recently when my son was injured in a bike accident, but I was too busy playing golf to help out.
Golf and sport in general, even when we play it for a living is a sideline to more the important things like God, relationships, values, and the people we meet.
When we play golf, whether for a living or leisure, should be played to the best of our ability, practice and time we have. When we bring humility to golf, we see so much more than our own performance.

Prayer. Gracious God, help me to appreciate the gifts of others as much as I appreciate the gifts you give to me. Give me humility in all things, while doing my best. Amen.