There are many unselfish acts witnessed by a few at times on this earth that will never make the headlines.
It’s a certain reality I feel worthy of discussion. Such acts deserve a greater honor than a bit of notoriety this small planet can offer.
I was recently made aware of an incident that occurred after completion of our Santa Barbara City Golf Championship. The incident involved self-disqualification from the event after a local golfer had apparently won his individual flight.
Disqualification in such competitions happen occasionally, but usually before completion of the event results are posted.
As I understand this unique incident, the player went to the tournament director the following day to inform the director of an error on his scorecard. I’ve had the pleasure of partnering in a team play event with this gentleman some years back.
The error was unintentional by his playing partner in posting a lower score on the final hole of the 54-hole tournament than the player’s actual score.
His playing partner was not at fault since he simply posted the score he was told after completion of that final hole. It was an honest error made at an inopportune time.
Having played in this grueling three-day event, I can understand how mistakes can easily be made. This player knew he needed to disqualify himself from the event.
There was substantial store credit along and an impressive trophy along with special recognition at stake, which he gladly forfeited.
Interestingly, if the proper score would have been posted, he still would have won his flight! He did what was honorable, but sadly I suspect many would not have taken the high road.
In life, it’s quite easy to take shortcuts and not do the honorable thing in our personal and business lives. After all, who’s keeping score? Who’s watching?
Golf competitions follow strict rules. God’s Word also gives us rules that we are commanded, not suggested, to follow.
I know this gentleman follows those rules on and off the course. And his Heavenly Father honors him with a greater and more worthy applause than anything we might experience here on earth.
God watches down on all our actions and He expects us to do our best in following His rules. He simply asks us to love Him with all our heart, our mind, our soul and our strength.
He also asks us to love others as we love ourselves. Yes, He knows we are weak and vulnerable to sin that taints our lives. That’s why He sent Jesus to die on an old rugged cross for our shortcomings.
If you have not admitted your sin nature, please do so now and ask God to forgive you and receive you into His Kingdom.
You see, even when we make errors we don’t have to be disqualified from an eternal relationship with our Father in Heaven. He will surely honor you and accept you just as you are wholeheartedly.