Jim the Golfer

Today I went golfing with my good buddy Ryan Hicks, and he ended up beating me by one stroke! It came down to the last hole, and I totally blew it.

I love golfing, but at the same time I freakin' hate the sport! It is one of the most frustrating things to do in life. Think about it...you are trying to a hit a small white ball that is 1.6 inches in diameter into a small hole that is only about 4 inches wide. And you are doing this with a stick. From about 120 yards away, you are supposed to make this tiny ball fall into the small cup with a stick in just 3 shots!! I think this is Preposterous.....but I'll still pay an outrageous amount of money to play the sport.

About a month ago, I was golfing with my brother, Jim, at a place in Topeka. We started off playing with just the two of us, but around the fourth hole a forty-year-old man behind us asked if he could join us. He was quite a bit better than me and my brother, but we said if he was willing to put up with our poor play we would be glad to let him play with us. We came to find out his name was Jim as well and he too was a big Kansas Jayhawk fan.

After talking a lot about Jayhawk football and basketball and playing nine holes, my brother decdied to call it day. He had to get home and take care of some stuff, but I still wanted to play. So I asked Jim if it was okay if I joined him on the final 9 holes while my brother quit. He was fine with it, and chuckling he asked if we were going to play for money. Knowing he was way better at golf, I smartly declined.

We continued to play, and he continued to kick my butt (as you can tell, everyone beats me). I found out that Jim worked at the local casino. He also had a girlfriend with whom he had 2 children, and he planned on marrying her in the spring sometime. As we were nearing the end of the golf course, he opened up to me about his past relationships and how unhealthy they were. I felt the Holy Spirit urging me to talk to him about Christ and how much He loves him no matter where he had been. At first I just ignored the Spirit's tugging, but it began to grow stronger and stronger. But I never said a thing. All I could do was shake my head in acknowledgment of how crappy his life had been. A nod? Is that all I could offer Jim?

I totally wasted my chance to share the good news with Jim. Instead I apathetically took the easy way out and chose to ignore the Spirit's tugging.

Jim, I'm sorry. I'm sorry for basically spitting in your face and telling you that you weren't worthy my time or my pride. I was too afraid of what you would think of me if I brought up my Savior and my Lord. I want him to be your Lord too. I know I probably won't see you again, but if I run into you again on the golf course, I pray that I love you enough to tell you about my Jesus. I'm sorry Jim the golfer.

Am I being to harsh on myself? I don't think so. I shouldn't have wasted my opportunity to talk to Jim. Ephesians 5:15-16 says, "Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." Who is your Jim?