I've always been a fan of Phil Mickelson. Since the time I saw him hit a shot out of a sand bunker backwards landing the ball on the green, he had a fan. Phil is, and has been, a great talent in the world of golf.

In the past 12 years, this husband and father of three has won 22 PGA tournaments and yet his name could not be mentioned without bringing up the fact that he had never won "a major" — one of the 4 major championships in golf that include The Masters, The British Open, The U.S. Open and the PGA. Phil has earned over $27 million dollars since turning pro in 1992, and yet he could not escape the questions about having never won "a major." Phil has been ranked as the sixth best golfer (and at times even higher) in the world, and yet when interviewed, the thing people want to know about is his never having won "a major."

However, all that changed a week ago last Sunday. Phil finally won "a major." Phil won his in dramatic, nail-biting fashion. Finally, the questions for him will stop. The feeling of relief must rival the level of joy and excitement that he is feeling right now. The stigma of being the "best golfer to never win a major" has been removed. In a sense, yesterday's Master's tournament was not just a win; it was freedom for Phil Mickelson.

Now there's application to be made from this storyline. You see, there are a good many people just like Phil Mickelson who just haven't yet arrived. It's not that they're not good people; they are. It's not that they haven't proven themselves to be trustworthy, honorable, and notable; they are. The problem is that they just haven't yet surrendered their lives to Christ.*

We all know of people who are trustworthy, and yet they aren't Christians. We know of people who have high moral standards, and yet they aren't Christians. We know of people who are active in fighting for community values, and yet they aren't Christians. We know of people who are compassionate and benevolent toward those who are less fortunate, and yet they aren't Christians.

He stills lives in the land of "and yet."

No matter how good a person is; no matter how highly they are thought of, if that person is not a Christian, he hasn't had the stigma of "sinner" removed by God's grace and Jesus' sacrifice. No matter one's accomplishments in life, if he hasn't surrendered his life in obedience to Jesus, he stills lives in the land of "and yet." He can't escape the nagging stigma of being "a good person, and yet still a sinner."

Apparently, as the world sees it, there's a world of difference between a good golfer and a golfer who has won a major. And as God sees it, there's an eternity's difference between a "good person" and a Christian.

Give it some thought ... and don't let the "and yet" hold you back.

*One of the best examples of a good person who was not a Christian and needed to surrender to Jesus and become a Christian was Cornelius, a good man who did good things. Read his story in  Acts 10,11.

 

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© 2004 Steve Higginbotham

Title: "And Yet ..."
Author: Steve Higginbotham
Publication Date: April 24, 2004

Look Great, Feel Great: 12 Keys to Enjoying a Healthy Life Now by Joyce Meyer Joyce guides us to a healthier way of living, reminding us that turning every issue over to God gives us the strength to make lasting changes.

Steve Higginbotham is a native of West Virginia. His father also preached. Steve serves the South Green Street congregation in Glasgow, Kentucky. Steve & Kim have four children, Kelli, Michael, Matthew, and Anne Marie.

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