Sometimes the smartest shot in golf is the one that does not impress anyone.
You are 220 yards from the green with water guarding the front and trouble surrounding both sides. You know there is a chance you can reach it.
There is also a very good chance you can turn a routine par into a double bogey.
Course management asks a different question than ego does.
Ego asks, “Can I hit this shot?”
Wisdom asks, “Should I?”
The Bible places tremendous value on wisdom. Proverbs 16:9 says, “In their hearts humans plan their course, but the LORD establishes their steps.” (NIV)
God has given us the ability to think, plan, evaluate risks, and make decisions. Faith does not require us to charge recklessly toward every opportunity simply because it is available.
Sometimes wisdom means laying up.
A good golfer thinks beyond the current shot. Where is the safest miss? What angle gives me the best chance on the next shot? Which trouble can I completely remove from play?
Life requires the same kind of thinking.
Not every opportunity is good for us. Not every argument needs our participation. Not every financial risk is wise. Not every temptation should be tested to see how close we can get without falling into it.
Proverbs 22:3 says, “The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and pay the penalty.” (NIV)
Good course management recognizes danger before the swing.
Sometimes the courageous decision is not attempting the spectacular shot. It is choosing the path that keeps unnecessary trouble out of play.
There will certainly be moments when God calls us to take bold steps of faith. But bold faith and careless decision-making are not the same thing. Wisdom listens to God, understands the situation, and chooses accordingly.
At the end of a round, the scorecard does not give extra credit because you attempted the most difficult shot on the course.
Life works much the same way.
The goal is not to prove how much trouble you can overcome. Sometimes the wiser choice is never putting yourself in that trouble to begin with.
Reflection
Is there an area of your life where pride is encouraging you to take an unnecessary risk? Ask God for wisdom to recognize the difference between a courageous step of faith and a decision driven by ego.