Praying for Easter Hope and Joy and Faith, Especially through Life’s Trials

On Wednesday, March 20, I went golfing at Turkey Creek Golf Course in Alachua, Florida, north of Gainesville. Now, I know my Alaska friends might be surprised that I would complain. Afterall, most Alaskan are not golfing IN MARCH!

However, on this morning, after two holes, I was ready to throw my golf clubs into the lake! First of all, the league in which I sometimes play tees off at 8:00 a.m. The sun rose that day around 7:30 a.m. And it was cold – for Florida at least!. There was frost on the ground as I drove to the course. My I-phone read 38 degrees as I teed off. The humidity of Florida weather makes 38 degrees in Florida feel colder than 38 degrees in Alaska. And, as a man now in my 70’s, my body does not start as quickly as it once did. I have some stiffness when I wake, and the aches and pains of arthritis. Before I golf I need to stretch to get ready.

But, I have been playing well, and had hopes for the morning of March 20. So, I teed off on the first hole of play for our group. I hoped I could make it through the first few holes and warm up and then my game could go alright. The first hole for our group was number 17, a 137 yard par 3. I have recently parred this hole many times. But on this day, though my ball traveled the right distance, and surprisingly traveled straight, it was straight just a little bit to the right of the hole. I did not quite follow through enough on my swing, and my ball flew straight into a sand trap beside the green. I hit out of the sand trap, but the dirt was hard, and the ball flew . . . OVER THE GREEN. I chipped on and then 2 putted for a DOUBLE bogey, 5, not a good way to start.

Our next hole, hole 18, is rated as the toughest hole on the course. My first shot was close to the lake, but not in. I knew I could hit the ball over the water easily, but I did not want to fly over the fairway into the woods. I chose a club less than I might have otherwise chosen, and hit the ball solid, right into the . . . yup, right into the lake! Two shots into the water, one shot out, and now hitting my par shot onto the green, almost. I chipped on and two putted for a score of 7 on a par 4 hole! Before I even started I was 5 shots over par! I had hoped for a good game. My cart partner was named Scott. I growled at myself and told him, “Maybe I should just take my clubs and go home.” He knew I was upset.

So, with a sour attitude I played the next holes. But, I scored a par, then a bogey, and another par, and another bogey and my score was looking much better. Scott asked, “Do you still want to go home?” I confessed to him, “You know, it’s easy to forget that I am outside enjoying God’s creation. (It had warmed up.) It’s easy to forget that I’m playing a game I enjoy, and that I am healthy enough to play. I’m with friends. It’s too bad that I can let a few bad golf shots cause me to forget my many blessings.” Have the troubles in your life ever caused you to forget God’s rich blessings for you?

One of my favorite chapters in the Bible is Romans 8. Verses 16-18 of that chapter assure us of God’s eternal love, in spite of the trials, the REAL trials in this world. “16 The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, 17 and if children, then heirs-- heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with him in order that we may also be glorified with him. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.”

Verse 18 is especially helpful to me. 18 For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” In this sinful world we suffer injustice, hatred, persecution. We endure illness, failure, and guilt. But for those who are “children of God,” who are “heirs with Christ,” “the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Because Jesus died for our sin and rose from the dead, he gives the glory of heaven. Life’s suffering cannot compare with the wonder of heaven!

Thankfully, God’s love blesses this life as well as the next. When we live in the assurance of the glory of God in heaven, we can face this world with peace and joy and hope. When we live in the assurance of the gift of God’s glory in heaven, we can see his presence and blessings even in the midst of large trials, and small ones, like a bad golf shot, or two, or three.

I played pretty well the rest of my match until the last 2 holes. On those holes I reached the green in my desired number of shots, but I actually hit the ball too far. (Until recently my shots have been short!) So, a 4 putt on number 15 and a 3 putt on number 16 added 5 extra shots to my score - AGAIN! ☹ However, by that time I had a better attitude, and could be thankful for my good shots, in spite of the bad ones. What bothers me though is that, as pastor, I try to encourage others to see our Lord and His love in the middle of the suffering and trials of life. Their troubles are much worse than a bad golf shot. Where is my faith? What example am I setting?

Will you join me in prayer? “Lord, send me Your Spirit so that, when the trials of life attack, I believe and stand on your love and victory in Jesus’ cross and His empty tomb. And please, Lord, allow my faith to point others to You in the midst of the trials in their lives, so that others may not doubt your love, but trust You and Your saving love with all their heart. Amen.”