Pick a Club and Swing

While I believe the game itself to be evil, I really do enjoy playing golf. It actually may be more of the memories of the people I've spent time with on the golf course over my life. My father and grandfather when I was younger. Mentors and friends that I cherish. And of course to be with one of my children for hours of uninterrupted time is priceless.

It must be those memories that keep me coming back because the game itself..... is an untrustworthy devil. It teases you with a nice shot or a great putt here or there and then torments you because you can't seem to replicate it. Then toys with your emotions shot after shot, swearing you'll never play again and then lures you back in with the false hope of this being the round you figure it out.

Because I don't get to play very often these days, I usually play with rental clubs. The nice thing about using a rental set is that they are typically newer and better quality then what I'd buy. The hard part is that every set plays a little different and it takes a while to figure them out. To know which ones you feel confident with and which ones you want to break in half and throw in the pond.

But golf is about commitment. Standing over the ball to hit an uncommitted shot, is like a self fulfilling prophecy. The chances are pretty good you won't hit it well. You don't need confidence over every shot, just commitment. There's anxiety, doubt, and a lack of confidence over most golf shots, but commitment and courage will trump those emotions every time. Pick a club, even if they are new to you, be courageous, commit to the shot and swing. If you trust the swing enough, confidence will come in time.

"Commit your actions to the Lord, and your plans will succeed." (Proverbs 16:3) 

In this proverb the first word is on purpose. Commit. Remove all other options.

The next word to focus on is actions. Nothing happens in life or business without action. You have to take the swing. Letting fear and anxiety rule what's next will leave you on the couch, not the course.

Who do you commit those actions to? The Lord. If God's in it, you'll sink the putt. If He's not..... well, you aren't gonna like the scorecard at the end of the round.

Life is a lot like golf. Some shots will be masterful, others in the trees. Faith and confidence grows over time. You learn to trust your swing and stop trying to swing like everyone else. You figure out your clubs, what tools you have and how to use them. You make memories with people you love and learn to laugh at yourself and keep swinging anyway.

Whatever is on your plate today, don't let fear or anxiety keep you on the sidelines. You don't need confidence to hit a great shot, just commitment. Commit your actions to The Lord and have faith. Pick a club and swing.