I love the game of golf! It’s fun, challenging, frustrating and humbling. I’m not very good at it. I’m often asked what my handicap is, to which I reply, golf. I am always seeking out ways to improve my game. I watch instructional videos on stance and addressing the ball. I go to the range to work on the mechanics of my swing. I research the latest clubs and the best balls for distance. I even bought some newly designed tees recently that reduce friction and side spin. And I constantly watch tournaments on tv to see how the pros do it. I have to admit I get upset when in spite of my best efforts, it doesn’t always come together. I put all this effort into improving my level of play and reducing strokes in a sport where there is no such thing as the perfect game. The lowest official score to date is 55, but someone will eventually do better.

I have to ask myself, how much better of a Christ-follower and leader would I be if I used the same approach in improving my faith. Am I constantly watching to see how the “pros” do it? Am I tracking my score to see if I’m improving? Am I working on the weaker areas of my game? Do I play with men who are better than I am so that I may learn from their experiences? And do I get as frustrated when I miss the mark with God as I do when I miss a three foot putt?

I love the Apostle Paul because I can so easily relate to him. He said in Romans 7 that he couldn’t understand why he did the things he knew he shouldn’t, but didn’t do the things he should. It frustrated him because he knew he had a better game inside of him. There are times when I return from a weekend of serving in church, that I feel somewhat accomplished. But there are those times when I wonder why God would use someone so flawed to do something so eternally important. Like golf, there is no such thing as the perfect level of the Christian journey. But I should be always striving to get better, to reduce errors and improve my score. I shouldn’t be content with anything less.

How’s your game? What steps are you taking to improve it? Always be looking for ways to get better, even if just one stroke at a time!