I Peter 3:15 – “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.”

The Pageantry. The Passion. The Performances. The Masters! Every year, CBS runs promos for this illustrious golf tournament at Augusta National in Georgia. The voice of Verne Lundquist (sadly retiring this year), the images of Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus from previous years…all of it is amazing! I don’t WATCH golf much, but I love seeing THIS tourney…mainly to see all of those glorious GREEN fairways, majestic trees, & NO WIND!

This year, I tuned in on Sunday (to see all that luscious green) and watched for a little while. I had to go get some work done at the office, so I left and didn’t get to see the finish. But I DID get to hear the interview with the winner on the radio on the drive home. After what I heard, I immediately went home and watched the “Green Jacket” ceremony!

The winner this year – Scottie Scheffler – is currently ranked #1 in the world! This is his SECOND Master’s win in 3 years! He is on fire, and he is seemingly well-liked by all his peers. Comparisons to Tiger Woods and Jack Nicklaus are thrown around often, and he just seems to keep his ego in check. But it is what happened this PAST Sunday, that made me sit up and take notice.

After the “Green Jacket” ceremony, there was a press conference. Most of the questions are from sports reporters that ask about what type of club he used here and what was he thinking on this part of the course. But when one of the reporters asked about his identity (Like who does he feel he is as a golfer) his response was monumental! Check it out here:
 “That’s a really good question. I was sitting around with my buddies this morning, I was a bit overwhelmed, I told them, I wish I didn’t want to win as badly as did I or as badly as I do,” Scheffler said. “But I love winning. I hate losing. I really do. And when you’re here in the biggest moments, when I’m sitting there with the lead on Sunday, I really, really want to win badly. And my buddies told me this morning, my victory was secure on the cross. And that’s a pretty special feeling to know that I’m secure for forever, and it doesn’t matter if I win this tournament or lose this tournament. My identity is secure for forever.”

The reporters then asked him about his faith and how he uses it on the course:
“I have been given a gift of this talent, and I use it for God’s glory. That’s pretty much it,” Scheffler said. “So, when I’m out there, I try to compete to the best of my abilities. Like I said, I really want to win. I don’t think there’s anything wrong with that either. At the end of the day, like I said, my identity is secure already, and I get to come out here and compete, have fun, enjoy it; and then at the end of the day, win or lose, my identity is secure.”

Some might say I like his statements because I’m a Christian (and that’s not wrong!) but why I REALLY like it, is that Scottie LIVED OUT that verse above from 1 Peter. He spoke about his HOPE! He had an answer for WHY he lives with that hope! And he did it with gentleness and respect!!

It may not be as big as the Masters Tournament…but it can be EQUALLY AS EFFECTIVE! Be READY to talk! Be ready to give that answer for why Hope matters to us and why we live differently! And do it kindly-not beating people up with the Bible!

When we live out L1 & L2, we WILL change our community! And THAT is what we are called to do! Now if you’ll excuse me, I feel inspired to head to the driving range!

Shalom – May HIS PEACE and HIS HOPE Fill You This Day!
Don