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Writer's pictureBryce Johnson

"I Don't Want a Sympathy Spot"

Phil Mickelson has been one of the best golfers in the world for a long time. He’s won five majors, is one of Tiger’s biggest rivals and has had a very successful career.

However, like all great athletes, there comes a point where you start slowing down and your game isn’t as strong as it once was.

Currently ranked 72nd in the world, Mickelson has already missed three cuts this early in the season. He’s had a very accomplished career with little left to prove, except to win the elusive U.S. Open.

He's won the three other Majors but has only fallen short at the U.S. Open, despite finishing second six times. The last time he was that close was in 2013 at Merion.

Although this year's U.S. Open is still months away, there is concern that Mickelson won’t qualify for the field. That’s why the question is being raised as to whether or not he’d accept a special exemption in order to play in the tournament.

Mickelson told the Associated Press, “I won’t accept it. So I am either going to get in the field on my own or I’ll have to try to qualify. I’m not going to take a special exemption.”

He also said, “I think I’ll get in the tournament. If I get in, I deserve to be there. If I don’t, I don’t. I don’t want a sympathy spot. If I am good enough to make it and qualify, then I need to earn my spot there.”

As a sports fan, I love to hear this because it reveals the type of competitor he is. Mickelson would rather play his way into the tournament than settle for a free pass into the tournament.

This type of mindset works in sports, but I’m afraid it often creeps into our perspective of grace. Many people hear the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the grace and salvation He offers us, but respond with “I won’t accept it. So I am either going to get in the field on my own or I’ll have to try to qualify.”

People don’t seem to understand that joining God’s family and being with Him for eternity is not about our own qualifications or being “good enough.”

The truth is, every one of us needs a “special exemption” because we can never do enough good works or “play well enough” to get in on our own merit.

God offers us His free gift of salvation through Jesus and we must accept it by faith, regardless of our past or current resume. We don’t deserve His grace because of the good things we’ve done and we’re not disqualified because of our mistakes.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (AMP) explains, “For it is by grace that you have been saved through faith.

And this is not of yourselves , but it is the gift of God; not as a result of works , so that no one will boast or take credit in any way .”

This is such good news, but we must fight against the prideful part of us that says “I need to earn my spot there.” Instead, we need to embrace the “special exemption” with humility and thankfulness.

Today, as undeserving and unworthy followers of Jesus, let’s rest in the remarkable gift of God…and live in response to the eternal exemption we’ve been so graciously given.

I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that!

PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I’m blown away by Your goodness and so thankful You’ve made a way for me to know You and spend eternity with You. I know I’m unworthy of Your grace and mercy, but I’m extremely grateful for the free gift of salvation. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.Discussion Questions for PACKS:


Is it easy or hard for you to accept God’s grace?


Do you ever find yourself falling back into the mindset that you have to “earn your spot” instead of resting in God’s grace?

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