Psalm 66:5 – Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man's behalf! (NIV)

As a teenager growing up in the late 1970s and early 1980s, I became a huge sports fan. I learned to play golf at a time when Tom Watson was the big-name player on the PGA Tour.

This year, at age 59, Tom Watson missed an eight-foot putt that would have made him the 2009 British Open champion. He led right from the start, only to lose in a playoff round. What a heartache for him and for many watching golf fans!

Over the next few days, I realized that maybe this was God's hand at play (no pun intended). We have all heard the expression, "God works in mysterious ways." In this case, His work was not just for Watson or the eventual winner, Stewart Cink, but for all of us. Watson's terrific play from beginning to end, followed by taking defeat so graciously, solidified his legacy as a great golf player. Stewart Cink moved from being a "middle-of-the-pack" PGA player to an elite major tournament winner. Senior citizens received newfound inspiration in, and respect for, others, for their abilities. For me, there was an affirmation that God is in control, even though we may desire another outcome.

Oh, how I wanted that putt to go in! God's hand, however, is always at work in the world that He loves. He guides all of us in whatever circumstances — whether we are driving down the fairway, or find ourselves in the rough or the sand trap.

Prayer: Dear Lord, we are so grateful that You are indeed in control. Thank You for Your awesome works! Amen.

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About the author:

John Hempstead <js.hempstead@shaw.ca>
Prince George, Bristish Columbia, Canada
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