PPic: Oberon Golf Course - Links Pro Am 2006

PGA Chaplain Bible Studies

Study 4 –February 4th to 10th 2008
John Chapter Ch13: verses 1 to 18 Part 1.

Golf is a Selfish Sport?

“Jesus knew that the time had come for him to leave this world and to go to the Father. Having loved his own who were in the world, he now showed them the full extent of his love. The evening meal was being served, and the devil had already prompted Judas Iscariot, son of Simon, to betray Jesus. Jesus knew that the Father had put all things under his power, and that he had come from God and was returning to God; so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.” John Chapter 13: verses 1 to 5. (New International Version)

If you have ever had the opportunity to caddy in professional or competition golf, you will know both the privilege and the heartache involved. A caddie is a servant of the player. As a caddy you feel like you are a team and the player’s game is your game. It is much harder caddying when your player is losing, as you try to support, encourage, give advice and try not to get in the way. Caddying is about serving the player and it is always encouraging when senior players caddie for young up and coming players. Caddies are required to clean all the players equipment, organise water and food, have measurements ready, sometimes help with wind direction and course layout, reading putts and carrying the bag. Every player though has one’s own job description for his caddie that the caddie needs to know.

I also listened to a lecture at a golf seminar last week on golf retail from a Christian professional who emphasised service as the key to his shop.

Jesus shows us that the way to live with God is serving others, with Jesus as the example as he washes his disciples feet. Having dusty roads with sandals in the 1st century meant that one’s feet needed cleaning. This was a job for servants who were common in Jesus’ day.

Jesus will speak of a further cleaning that is needed that will be part 2 next week, but this week our reflections are about looking beyond ourselves to others.
We can make every excuse for only looking after ourself, but at the end of the day, God calls us to love others and to serve them.

It is very easy to be selfish on the golf course, being an individual game. But there are many ways we can serve others. Some are:

• Looking for their golf ball.
• Being social when playing.
• Giving credit to good play.
• Giving advice when appropriate.
• Getting to know the other players.
• Buying players a drink after golf.

Golf is a great sport in that you can serve others while playing the game. It doesn’t have to be a selfish sport. In this way we can all be involved in Christ’s ministry in golf.

Prayer.
Our Servant King, help us to model your life in all we do. Amen.

Upcoming Events

Click event for more details.

Wyong Trainee Pro-Am.

Venue: Wyong Golf Cub
Date: Monday 17th November.
Cost: $50
Tee Time: 7:30am and
12 noon shotgun start.
Contact: Graham on 02 9740 9069
or email.

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