More to Life than Golf

Hello Ted,

Scottie and I have something in common!

No, it’s definitely not golf skill. After all, he has proven himself to be one of the greatest!

He recently reiterated his belief that winning big tournaments doesn't fulfill him. His words were remarkable.

"It feels like you work your whole life to celebrate winning a tournament for like a few minutes. It only lasts a few minutes, that kind of euphoric feeling. 

You win it, you celebrate, get to hug my family, my sister’s there, it’s such an amazing moment. Then it’s like, ‘OK, now what are we going to eat for dinner?’ Life goes on.

Is it great to be able to win tournaments and to accomplish the things I have in the game of golf? Yeah, it brings tears to my eyes just to think about, because I’ve literally worked my entire life to be good at this sport.

(Golf) is not the most important thing in my life," Scheffler said. 

(Article linked below.)

MORE TO LIFE THAN GOLF

I used to be a serious golfer.

I love the game of golf.

My current health situation restricts me to playing just 9, not 18.

A list of things I enjoy about golf right now:

• Being outside
• Enjoying the beauty of nature
• Playing with my wife, Tudi
• Meeting new people
• Yuking it up with my buddies
• Getting some exercise

BUT FIRST AND FOREMOST: Sharing my faith in Christ with people I encounter on the course as the Lord leads

GOLF WITNESSING BACKGROUND

In 1992, I was driving back from Augusta to Atlanta, having spent approximately three days in Augusta raising funds for a golf-related project that promoted Augusta’s GOLF and GARDEN image.

As I drove, I realized I was very frustrated. It seemed every conversation I had recently was related to this project about GOLF and GARDENS. I'd had limited conversation about the most important topic of my conversations: sharing God/Jesus with others.

PRAYER OF DESPERATION

Midway back to Atlanta, I cried out to God, ”I want to talk to someone about Jesus. Please help me, Lord.”

I decided to stop at the busiest public golf course in the heart of Atlanta. I signed up as a single player and joined 3 others on the first tee. The young men I joined were “big boys.” They looked like they played for the Atlanta Falcons, and each had chewing tobacco bulging from their cheek. They were buddies out to have a good time. Here I was joining them, Mr. straight-laced Goodie-Goodie. But I truly desired to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

When sharing this story, I jokingly tell my friends I surveyed the situation and decided, “Not today, Lord”. But what actually happened is I prayed the prayer of Esther, “If I perish, I perish.” I quickly struck up a conversation, asking get-to-know-you questions like "How do you three know each other?", "Are you in college?", "Where do you work?", etc. When relevant, I added something about my life.

AS I LISTENED, I found myself caring for their souls. In boldness, I shared my testimony of growing up an atheist with a broken family, my sports background, and finally, that God answered my prayers by sending me to join them for a round of golf and conversation. Their response was so encouraging because there was excellent interaction by all 3 to my testimony of faith in Christ.

As the cover of my book, Golfers of Men, states, learning to be part of the process of sharing Jesus is a great goal. We are not the “whole enchilada” as we plant, water, and God gives the increase. I label it team witnessing. He’s the Captain.

DIFFERENT PATH, SAME PRIORITY

Scottie and I come from very different backgrounds, yet both of our lives are anchored in the truth of verses like this:

Mark 8:36

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?”

For over 40 years, I’ve had the joy of sharing my faith in Jesus on golf courses across many states. I’ve even written two golf devotionals—Golfers of Men and The Master’s Touch—centered around that very mission. Each chapter in Golfers of Men has multiple actual witness examples of sowing and/or reaping.

Recently, Scottie shared that being the #1 golfer in the world doesn't give him lasting fulfillment:

"I’m blessed to be able to come out here and play golf. But if my golf ever started affecting my home life or if it ever affected the relationship I have with my wife or with my son, you know, that’s going to be the last day that I play out here for a living," Scheffler said. 

"I would much rather be a great father than I would be a great golfer.

"At the end of the day, (golf is) just not what satisfies me."

WHAT A POWERFUL TESTIMONY!

Praise God for Scottie’s boldness in his faith. I greatly admire his golf achievements and his priorities. He’s my favorite athlete because of his abilities and faith in Christ.

Praise God for the game of golf, which continues to open doors for me to share the love and truth of Christ, regardless of my limitations or waning talent. Honestly, I've never enjoyed the game of golf more than I do now! I look at the game as recreation and enjoyment, no pressure to excel.

Which leads me to the following:

TRUE GOLF STORY

Our pro watched 4 golfers finish their round on the 18th hole. One of the golfers threw his clubs after a poor shot, was yelling vulgarities, and slamming his clubs in anger. Our pro walked out to the man and said, “You’re not good enough to get upset.”

Golf reminds me all the time I’M SAVED BY GRACE- not works!

WHAT’S NEXT?

I could recommend you practice your golf game and you will become the next Scottie Scheffler, but that’s foolish, unrealistic thinking!

However, I earnestly recommend you learn to be compelled by love, not duty, to share your faith in Jesus Christ. It will be more than worth your time and effort on the golf course or anywhere you “live, move, and have your being.”

THE CHALLENGE

LOVE is the key to sharing your faith in Jesus.

• We best love by asking people simple questions in sincerity, like: HOW IS IT GOING?
  
• Listen intently. Don't be distracted by thoughts of what you will say next. LISTEN!
  
• Fall in LOVE with their soul.
  
• Be compelled by LOVE, not duty, to share your faith in Jesus.
  
• HUMILITY. As the wristband says, I AM A SINNER. Jesus is my Savior. John 3:16
  
• FOLLOW UP by asking: Have you ever said a prayer like the words on the wristband?
  

-Ted

Acts 17:28

We are a witness every minute of every day. WB’s goal is to encourage you to reach your witness potential, compelled by love, not duty. want them to do (ca