Focus on the Majors (by John Woodman)

This one is for all the golfers out there!  This past weekend was the first Major tournament of the year on the PGA Tour.  In my opinion, it is held at the most beautiful golf course in the world at Augusta National.  The way the azaleas colors of pink and yellow pop out on your TV screen, how green the fairways and greens are, how white the well-groomed sand traps catch your eyes, all surrounded by a variety of huge trees outlining the fairways that have been there longer than most of us reading this Monday Message.

It got me thinking how much a golf course like Augusta National is like the life we live every day.  Every hole is different and has its challenges and rewards, just like how every day we spend on this earth is different has its challenges and rewards.  There are also things on a golf course that are out of our control, like the weather, the hop your ball takes when it lands, and most of the time inches are the difference between a great shot or a horrible one.  Life is the same way, as many things that happen in our lives are out of our control too.

That leads me to believe that we shouldn’t focus on what we can’t control.  Easier said than done but I’m a firm believer that the most successful people put their focus on the Majors in their lives and don’t worry about what is out of their control.  What Major is most important to a golfer may change at times; sometimes it will be the U.S. Open, sometimes the British Open, and at other times it may be Augusta. Likewise, there are also times in your life when what you consider to be your most important Major will change.  Some may consider this falls into the “out of control” arena when this happens but if you take a step back and prioritize what you really consider to be your Majors and stay consistent with them… I believe everything in the long run will work out just fine.  The best golfers are considered to be consistent week in and week out, but even the best may falter from time to time.   Just watching four-time Major winner Ernie Els 6-putt the first hole at Augusta and 5^th ranked World Golf player Rickie Fowler shoot 80 in his first round, proves that.

We each have our own Majors in life but I try to keep mine very simple with just three, FAITH, FAMILY, and FORGIVENESS.  Just like each hole at Augusta has its own name, your Majors may differ.  I do find that it interesting that each hole at Augusta National is named after a flower or a tree that is God’s creation.  Even the three hardest holes (#11, #12, and #13) have been given the name “AMEN” corner.  Being an avid golfer and a Believer in Christ for the last 35 years, the one thing I have learned is that unfortunately, there is way more praying out on a golf course than there is inside of a church! Make it a great week!

The only time my prayers are not answered is on the golf course.

~ Reverend Billy Graham