When I was younger, I thought I was better than I actually was. I would talk smack, emotionally annoy opponents and wouldn’t back down from a confrontation. Over time I have mellowed, learned the importance of humility and found contentment in my retirement from sports. Yet, I’m thankful that I wasn’t afraid to fail as a professional golfer.
For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come, 1 Timothy 4:8.
As I step away from competition, my son James faces a similar dilemma. Despite being a state champion pole vaulter and 3 time all conference golfer, playing division one sports in college is a whole new ball game. Thus, he has to decide do I risk embarrassment, humiliation or do I play it safe by avoiding disappointment? My message to him is you’ll never know unless you try.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already arrived at my goal, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me, Philippians 3:12.
In my first golf mini-tour event, I shot 48 on the front nine, shaking so badly it was hard to swing a club. I could have hung my head, quit or withdrawn from this competition. Yet, I battled, birdieing the 10th, finding my rhythm on the back nine. I never made any money nor did I reach the P.G.A. tour, but I walked away from this game knowing I did everything in my power to succeed. Thus, whether you are my son, a friend or a stranger I meet along the road called life, you’ll never know your ultimate destiny unless you try by utilizing your God given talents.
by Jay Mankus
