Content and Faithful

When choosing the course layout for the first round of the U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills Golf Club in New York, the USGA knew the weather forecast was calling for very strong winds. 

The organization ultimately elected to make the notoriously difficult course a little friendlier to players by slowing the greens and placing the pins more approachable than usual.

That decision, however, would have a markedly different effect on the players participating in Thursday’s opening round.

Shortly after the first players teed off early in the morning, a two-hour weather delay due to heavy fog impacted the tournament. When conditions resumed, wind gusts continued to reach 30 mph, making the scoring average for players who set out earlier in the day just over 74 (the course is par 70). 

But due to the fog-induced delay, many players set out much later than they had originally anticipated. A major advantage for them came from the wind subsiding in the afternoon, which provided significantly more favorable playing conditions than usual.

By the end of the round, 17 players had posted scores under, a shockingly high number for the course. The vast majority of those 17 players had teed off later in the day, when conditions had become more ideal. 

Wyndham Clark, who ended the day with a four-shot lead, readily admitted that teeing off later in the day provided an advantage for him.

Clark commented, “That two-hour fog delay was very helpful, and it was really nice [the wind] laid down. So it definitely helped those last six, seven holes we played.”

In professional golf, players don’t have ultimate control over the conditions they face when they head out for a round. Sometimes the conditions will work in their favor, while at other times they will face unique challenges. 

At the end of the day, a player shouldn't fixate on how their circumstances compare with those of the other players in the field. Rather, they are to focus on doing their best with the situation given.

As followers of Jesus, we face a real temptation to compare our circumstances with those around us. 

But just like in professional golf, our main focus should be on faithfulness and doing our best with the particular set of circumstances God has ordained for our lives. 

As believers, we know that God, in His providence, has intentionally orchestrated the circumstances we face in our lives, whether they be easy or difficult. Furthermore, we know God has ordained that we encounter the things we face for our own good.

Romans 8:28 (NIV) reminds us, “And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.”

While this is undoubtedly one of the greatest truths in all of Scripture, it does require us to have a proper understanding of what it means for God to work all things for good. This truth doesn't mean that things will always go the way we desire, nor that our circumstances will always be advantageous from a human perspective.

Rather, the very next verse in Romans 8 informs us that what is good for us is whatever helps to conform us into the image of Christ: “For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters” (Romans 8:29; NIV).

In His perfect wisdom, God knows exactly how to arrange the circumstances in such a way as to bring about our growing in holiness. For some of us, that might mean “blue skies” with little trouble. For others, that might mean the “heavy winds” of trials and difficulties.

Either way, God desires that we be content with the lot we've been given and faithful in serving Him as we navigate life in the strength He graciously provides.

In John 21, Jesus told Peter he would be required to follow Him all the way to His ultimate crucifixion (John 21:18-19). Right after hearing about his future, Peter immediately began questioning the circumstances of his fellow apostle, John, which led Jesus to rebuke him.

John 21:20-22 (ESV) says, “Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against Him during the supper and had said, ‘Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?’ When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, ‘Lord, what about this man?’ Jesus said to him, ‘If it is My will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!’”

Rather than fixating on how God has sovereignly worked out His providence in the lives of other believers, we should focus our energy and attention on how we can best glorify God in the circumstances He has ordained for us. As we do so, we will find increasing success in our growth and maturity as followers of Jesus.

Today, let's resist the temptation to compare our circumstances to those around us. Let's thank and praise God that He's using the things we face in life to conform us to the image of Christ. 

In all things, may we show ourselves to be faithful in following Him.

I’m Matt Osborne, and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, please forgive me for the times that I have lacked contentment as I follow You. Please strengthen me to be faithful in serving You, no matter what I face in life, trusting that it is for my good and to help me become more like Jesus. In Jesus' name, I pray, Amen.