As some of you know, I had the chance to experience Augusta National the week of The Masters golf tournament. Even if you don't play golf, you will want to check out my thoughts because God showed me several things while I was there.
1. God is revealed in His creation.
The dogwoods, azaleas, and other plants were blooming while we were there, and the colors God uses in nature are almost indescribable. You have the green of the grass, the brown of the pine needles, and the colors of the flowers. I just don't have the words to describe how beautiful it all was.
In addition to the colors, I had opportunity at times to enjoy the sounds of nature before the golf started. We got to the course early enough that it was pretty quiet. The sound of the creek, the birds singing, and the wind blowing through the pine trees let my mind wander back to where I grew up. All of it is declaring the glory of God.
2. Great events are experienced with family and friends.
I got to experience this with my wife, my best friend since kindergarten, and his wife. We got to share stories, experience the sights and sounds through the eyes and ears of one another, and have fun together. I found myself thinking about other friends who would have enjoyed the event as much as I did and wished they had been there. It is one thing to have an experience, but it is so much more meaningful when it is shared with others.
3. No matter what you do, be a leader.
One of the fun things to do is sit at hole #16 and watch the golfers play this short par 3. After the practice shot, the fans start chanting, "Skip it." In other words, they want the golfers to skip a golf ball across the water. It is the loudest place on the course during the practice rounds.
Greg Norman, who is one of the great older players, was practicing with three of the youngest guys on the tour. The young guys were about to ignore the fans chanting, until Greg motioned for the other guys to come back and skip a golf ball across the water.
We should never forget that we have influence on others. We can lead the next generation to have a proper understanding of our role in this world. even when it is not "game time."
4. Purpose and standards matter
I've been to many golf courses, and a handful of "nice" golf courses. I've been to professionally maintained gardens. However, I've never seen anything like Augusta National. They have committed to making the course the best it can be for the event. They plan accordingly and accept nothing less than those high standards for their venue. They expect the patrons of the event to act in accordance with those same standards.
One of my questions as I noticed this about the course is whether or not Christians have that same focus on their purpose and their own standards? My guess is no. If a group of people can be that focused and intentional about a golf tournament, shouldn't we have that same focus on our purpose and standards for something that really matters?
5. Simple elegance
As nice as everything was at Augusta, it was not ostentatious. There was a simplicity to everything, and it was done very well. Compared to our community, it would have seemed austere. See number four above to understand why simple works.
These are just some of my thoughts. I really cannot fully express the experience because it was sensory overload. You have Amen Corner and Magnolia Lane and a myriad of other aspects of the event that are amazing. In light of all of this, God showed me things about Himself, leadership, and conduct that are lessons we could all apply.
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