Faith & Phil Mickelson

1 Cor 15:57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. -NIV

I love Phil Mickelson. For some reason, I've always been drawn to his style of play, his charisma and his attitude on and off the golf course. He is a true gentleman of the game and a role model for the next generation.

As I was chatting with a friend about Phil winning The Open this weekend (of which I'm ecstatic), a whole new reason dawned on me as to why I connect with him so much. I love him for being such a great champion and I love him for being so human. How many times has he been in the last stretch of a Major Championship only to launch a drive way off course, miss a simple wedge shot or push a "gimmie" putt and watch it all come tumbling down.

And, how many times do we do this very thing in our own walks with Christ. Sometimes, we make decisions like Billy Graham or pray like George Mueller and feel like we are on top of the world. And other days, we just crumble in the easiest of circumstances. We lie like Jacob for no real reason, we lose our faith like Abraham or we try to manufacture our own answers to God's promises and just make a mess of things. This is why watching Phil play golf, reminds me so much of our walks of faith.

In all of our wins and losses, in all of our highest highs and our lowest lows, like Phil, we are truly champions. The victory has already been won and we will forever reign with Him. Not because of what we've done or who we are, as in the game of golf, but because of who Christ is and what He has done for us. We are His children, co-heirs with Christ and heaven bound. No matter how many mistakes Phil makes from here on out, nobody can ever take away his 5 Majors, 50 professional wins or Hall of Fame status. And, nobody can ever take away the gift that God has given us in Christ. 

May we rejoice today because we are His champions!