Punishing, Grueling, Strenuous are just some of the headline words used to describe the course at Oakmont Country Club where this year’s U.S. Open golf tournament is being played.  And no one is complaining.  “It’s as good as it gets,” they are saying.  So why do professional golfers and their fans like a punishing, grueling, strenuous course so much?  Because it tests the golfers’ skills.  It calls every ounce of energy and talent and endurance from the players.  The fans get to see gifts and abilities on display and know that Sunday’s winner will have earned his $1.225 million prize.

The image of the athletic contest has long been used to describe the Christian life.  This from Paul to the Corinthians:

Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)

$1.225 million is a lot of money for 72 holes of golf, but it is nothing compared to the prize for which we play – a crown that will last forever.  But if punishing, grueling and strenuous makes it as good as it gets for those competing for the title at the U.S. Open, why do we Christians complain so loudly when God’s demands on lives seem so punishing, grueling and strenuous?  Why do we expect that a crown that lasts forever should be won on a miniature golf course, and, by the way, let’s not keep score?

I think of Olive Huberman as I write this.  Olive’s medical prognosis is not good.  She knows that she is nearing the end of race, the good fight.  Olive would never say so, but in many ways her life has been punishing, grueling and strenuous.  I have never heard her complain.  In fact, when you visit with her these days, she mostly wants to talk about the finish line that is in sight and the everlasting crown that God has promised soon will be hers. 

The image of the athletic contest has long been used to describe the Christian life.  But the analogy is just that; only an analogy, and finally it fails because it only describes but a part of the Christian life.  The Christian life is punishing, grueling and strenuous.  It is not for the timid, yet it is timid folks like us to whom God’s call comes. 

In one of the many U.S. Open stories in this morning’s Post-Gazette , the Oakmont course is described as unforgiving.  In fact, a Google search of Oakmont and unforgiving shows nearly a thousand matches.  Indeed, the course we run in this life may be unforgiving, but the one who has run the race before us is not unforgiving.   The Christian life at its deepest is not so much about our punishing efforts, grueling commitment or strenuous struggles as it is about God’s amazing grace of forgiveness.  The eternal crown is not a won prize; it is a gracious gift from a loving and forgiving God.  

Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.  Hebrews 12:1-2

P.S.  Some of you have asked about the young man, Mike, I mentioned last in last week’s E-pistle. We’ve been in touch this week.  Mike is making some important decisions and I believe that he is doing well as he does.  He was in worship with us Sunday and prayed a strong prayer of recommitment to Christ.  He says he feels as if a heavy burden has been lifted.  And what can you do to help?  Pray.