What Are You Willing To Give Up?...by John Naberhaus

Several years ago when our children were small, I was concerned about my youngest boy. He had not made a profession of faith. He was not a Christian.

 

James was maybe twelve or so. I would take him and his older brother, John, out to the golf course and play a few holes in the afternoons. One particular afternoon on the very last hole, I had about a sixty yard shot into the green. Instead of focusing on my shot, I found myself thinking of James.

 

Then the strangest thing happened. I told the Lord that I would give up playing golf until James made a profession of faith and was baptized. I know that sounds crazy, but I loved playing golf. For me this was a very real sacrifice and I meant what I was saying. But I needed a sign.

 

So I said, "I promise to give up golf and concentrate on James making a profession of faith if..."---and here's the really crazy part---"... You will let me sink this shot." I wasn't asking that my ball simply land on the green. I wanted to "hole out"...a single stroke that would send my ball directly into the hole.

 

Standing over the ball, I repeated my promise to the Lord, then looked at the green. At best, I had a one in a million chance of making the shot. I grasped my wedge, drew back, and swung as best I could. The ball soared through the sky, arced beautifully, bounced onto the green, and headed toward the hole.

 

I watched in amazement as the ball rolled closer and closer. But just as it reached its goal, the ball stopped. Disappointment threatened to destroy my hope. Had God ignored my prayer? I stared in disbelief.

 

Then all of a sudden, the ball disappeared into the hole. A chill came over me. God had not abandoned me, after all.

 

As my sons celebrated, I calmly picked up my bag and headed toward the green. The promise---my promise---was hitting home. I crossed the green, lifted the flag, and got the ball out of the hole. Then I told the boys I wouldn't be playing golf for a while. I didn't tell them why and we headed home.

 

I kept my promise to God. No longer distracted, I focused on my son. In a couple of months James made his profession of faith.  And not only did he walk the aisle, but his youngest sister, Cheryle, came, too. What a surprise! I'm glad I followed God's leading because now my two boys, James and John, are in heaven with their mother, both grandmothers, and my dad.

 

God's plans are always greater than ours. We just have to be serious enough to test Him...by that I mean, to prove to ourselves what His will, direction and path is for each of us. We serve a mighty God. Never underestimate Him. His ways are always better than ours.

 

Is this difficult for you? Be God's child. Trust Him with all your heart and don't rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all you do and He shall direct your path. (Proverbs 3:5-6)