12 Nov

Tiger Woods Ain’t Got Nothing…

posted by Daniel Blackaby

As I approached the first tee, an aura of greatness overwhelmed the hushed crowd. Coolly I retrieved my driver, spinning it expertly between my fingers to a chorus of “oooooo’s” from star-struck female spectators. Passers-by froze to witness the commotion; the birth of a legend. Step aside Tiger Woods. In a gloriously fluid motion I brought my club towards the ball.

What drew me to the game of golf? A love for the game? Or maybe oodles of raw, untapped talent and the irrepressible desire to excel? Or perhaps I simply wished to inspire others, less fortunate than I. Well that, and my buddy Rob had just invited me to shoot 18-holes with two pretty girls. Man…I love golf. Putting on my best Johnnie Cochran impersonation, I convinced my parents of this new-found love, and was rewarded with a Premium membership card at the local Clubhouse. I then strutted into the golfing goods store, “I need new clubs.” I pulled out a wad of bound cash, “Oh…and these fingers only touch the best.”

The day arrived, and Rob waited patiently with the two pretty companions until suddenly one gasped, “Can it be!? Is that Tiger Woods!?” Smoothly I tipped my expensive golf visor and winked, “No, the name’s Blackaby. Daniel Blackaby.” Graciously I agreed to tee-off last Don’t wanna set the bar TOO high right from the get-go! They drove their balls moderately well…for amateurs. Strutting up to the tee I licked my finger and raised it into the air, “Light southeastern breeze, approximately ten miles strong, should disrupt my drive by two-tenths a degree.” Looking back I grinned, “Ladies and gents, they don’t teach ya THAT in the handbooks!” I swung…Whack! The ball exited the solar system! Strained eyes couldn’t locate it. Reaching down to grab my tee I froze…there sat my ball. Untouched.

Gathering my composure I swung again! Miss. Swing! Miss. I looked back at my party, “Ummm, mere practice shots.” They were convinced…six swings - six misses. Later they weren’t. Drenched in sweat, humiliated, and having dug myself halfway to the Orient, I heard a voice, “Young man, I’m the manager here. I ask you, for the love of all that’s good and precious, please don’t golf my course again, unless you’ve had some lessons.” I spent the next two hours as the group caddy. I’ve not graced a golf course since then. Golf. What a stupid game.

Dressing like a Tiger Woods clone, toting top-end gear, and strutting onto a golf course apparently wasn’t enough to make me a golfer. I grew up in a Christian home, surrounded by pastors, missionaries and godly people. I own several Bibles and joined numerous worship bands. But those things will not get me into heaven. I recently moved to the American Bible Belt where I discovered that the Bible Belt is no different than the rest of the country.. Many people unfortunately believe that acting like a believer and hanging out where Christians hang out makes them Christian. Yet, they do not have a personal relationship with God, and one day will hear Jesus say, “I never knew you; depart from me.” It would be tragic to spend an entire life and never truly know Him. I’m so thankful I know Jesus personally, do you?

“Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?” And then I will declare to them, “I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness.” Matthew 7:21-23

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About the Author

Daniel Blackaby is a junior in college, living in Simpsonville, SC. His biggest passions in life are music and literature. He plays guitar in a Christian rock band and also plays bass guitar, drums, and keyboard.

Apart from playing music, Daniel loves to listen to all types of music and has over 700 CDs on his iTunes. He admits he’s a huge nerd who loves to read and enjoys collecting classic literature. He loves to hang out and have a good time, but his primary goal is to try and live life to the fullest and glorify God in everything he does. You can contact him by email at boonster11@hotmail.com.

Read more about Daniel here.