Life is Not a Game of Perfect

Ask The Pastor: How it got started
E-mail your questions
Master List of Articles


I just finished reading Dr. Bob Rotella's book, "Golf is Not a Game of Perfect." Its been around awhile, and even though I am an avid golfer, this was my first look. Even if you aren't a golfer, this one is worth the read.

Like golf, "life" isn't a game of perfect either. Learning to accept that, but in a healthy way, is part of what it means to be a believer in the Lord.

Philippians chapter 1 tells, us that "...he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6


Paul, the same writer, also tells his friends in Philippi:

"But this one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:13-14

Dr. Rotella's book is all about changing the way we think. He points out that most really successful golfers think differently than those who are less successful.

I remember watching a Master's golf tournament years ago, in 1986 as a matter of fact, when Jack Nicklaus was on his way to winning at the ripe old age of 46, a feat that had never been accomplished before and has never been duplicated.

Jim Nance, the CBS broadcaster, asked golfer/commentator Tom Weiskopf a question as Jack Nicklaus was about to hit his tee shot at the 16th tee.

"What is Jack thinking right now as he is at the tee, Tom?" Nance asked.

"If I knew how that man thinks," said Weiskopf, "I would have won a lot more tournaments!"

Funny! But true, and not just for Weiskopf!

As I read Rotella's book on how to think differently, it dawned on me that part of what Paul and other New Testament writers are trying to do as they teach us, is get us to think differently.

We need to think differently about so many things. And in this context, my point is to think differently in a positive sense, even about past failures or present personal struggles.

He (God) who began a good work in us (ship-wrecked beings that we are) will (its positive he will) complete (not part way, but fully) the work at the day of Christ Jesus.

God has not abandoned us to ourselves, thank goodness. And he loves us and he is working on us. We can think differently about ourselves. No excusing our sin or giving in to temptation, but thinking differently about ourselves; not being so down on ourselves.

If you are a believer in Christ as your Lord and Savior, God has forgiven you! Get over it! (Man, I need to hear that same counsel!) Don't keep hanging on to that old view of yourself that beats yourself up for all the failings you have had.

As a believer you have admitted them and God has forgiven you! Again, GET OVER IT...IN A GOOD WAY! Forgive yourself now, being sure to have made restitution to others where it is required and needed, and then do what Paul did: forgetting what was behind, he pressed forward!

What a great way to live...and its Biblical! That means that is ok to think that way folks. Its not a cop out. Its what we are supposed to be doing...better put, it is how we are supposed to be THINKING!

Golf is not a game of perfect. That's why they make the greens bigger than a dinner plate.

And life is not a game of perfect either. That's why God's grace is so big that it can handle any miss-aimed actions on our part. All our shots land on the green of God's grace. Good or bad shots, God loves us still, and the "green" always funnels the ball of life into the promise of eternal joy and forgiveness.

What a God we have.

Life is not a game of perfect. You know it, so now accept it, but in a healthy way, understanding that God loves us in spite of ourselves, and one day his work of transforming us will be complete.

Count on it.