Birdies, Bogeys & Life Lessons from the Game of GolfSample

All Things Work Together for Good

Jon Rahm woke up with a six-shot lead in the 2021 Memorial Golf Tournament. Most believed his Sunday round was simply a walk in the park toward victory based on how he played. He was finishing up his third round when officials approached him as he came off the eighteenth green and informed him that he had tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. He had been in observation the previous days because he had been exposed to someone with COVID-19. The news of his infection with the highly contagious virus had come at the worst possible time. He was disqualified. Patrick Cantlay would go on to win in a playoff the next day against Collin Morikawa.

What made things worse was that Jon had not seen his parents in over a year, and they had traveled from his hometown in Spain to watch Jon play on Sunday. Jon had a new baby, and his positive test meant being quarantined from his family, his parents, and even his wife. Jon handled the news with grace and professionalism. He accepted what he knew had to be done but was extremely disappointed, as anyone would be. What made it even worse was the US Open was in three weeks at Torrey Pines in San Diego, his favorite course where he got his first win, and it was now questionable whether he would be able to compete.

The week of the US Open arrived in June, and to Jon’s surprise, he tested negative for COVID-19. He was ecstatic! Jon played well his first three days of the tournament and found himself just three shots back going into Sunday. Many top names were in contention going into the back nine, including Rory McElroy, Louis Oosthuizen, and two-time US Open winner Brooks Koepka. However, all of these leaders faltered. Rahm made two incredible side-hill putts over twenty-five feet on holes seventeen and eighteen for birdie that would clinch the victory. He had won the US Open!

Looking for the Good in the Bad

It’s amazing how things like this happen when we allow God to work in our lives and trust him for outcomes in our life. When the Bible says all things work together for good for those who love him and serve him, it does not mean all events will be positive events. But he can make something good from any event in our life if we give him that opportunity. Do you find yourself in a difficult place? Embrace today’s Scripture verse by placing your faith in the God who makes all things work together for good. Even our greatest accomplishments on earth do not compare to what we receive in heaven when we receive our inheritance Jesus promises when this life is over.