I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith. – 2 Timothy 4:7

Typically when I play golf I will post a few photos featuring the beauty of the location, talk about some epic shot I pulled off, mention the birdie I made and – especially if it was some kind of a scramble event – report on the score.

Well Tuesday I enjoyed the privilege of playing with three of my favorite people around a very cool Donald Ross course on a beautiful day. I loved every minute of the experience but the only golf stories I have to share are tales of double-bogies, lost balls, futility, misadventure and embarrassment.

I would love to share a picture of my scorecard and tell you I came close to breaking 80. But the hard truth is that I struggled mightily, I only parred one hole all day, and I was grateful to break 100. That’s right, I carded a 99.

Why advertise a bad score?

So why am I going public over a bad score? Well, because a life that is meaningful, and beautiful, and enjoyable, and blessed involves all manner of experiences – and more often than not they are nothing like the ones we want.

There has been a lot of publicity about the fact that Masters champion and world #1 Scottie Scheffler is a committed Christian; some people say that’s why he wins. I’d like to point out that I’m a committed Christian too – so, after my 99, I have to conclude that it’s likely something else!

Following Jesus does not make my life any easier, or my brain any smarter, or my bank account any bigger, or my challenges any more readily resolvable – and while Jesus is very much with me he does not help me to play better golf.

What Jesus does give me, however, is an appreciation of what really made Tuesday with the guys so great: he fills my soul with love for my brothers; he reminds me this beautiful creation is a gift, and I can’t help but stand in awe and gratitude; he gives me satisfaction that is fueled by the journey not the result; he gives me peace and serenity… and of all God’s gifts, peace and serenity is the most likely to help my game!

So I will gladly own my 99 and give thanks for another opportunity to enjoy the company of such great people.

The only issue I have is that, if I continue to card such high numbers, waiting to shoot my age until I am 99 may be a little out of reach – DEREK