“For apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5.

How’s Your Grip?

Every year for decades, the great Jack Nicklaus would begin his golf season by starting over. Imagine, Nicklaus, arguably the greatest professional golfer ever, and winner of more major tournaments than anyone who ever strolled a fairway, starting over. But why?

Obviously Nicklaus didn’t forget how to play golf during the winter months. He was a stickler for fundamentals—all of them. He broke his game down to the most minute parts—sort of like disassembling a clock with all its pieces—and reconstructed it because he knew sound fundamentals would withstand the most intense pressure in the most difficult of circumstances. No club swings itself, and without a proper grip, there is little chance one’s game will improve beyond the level of erratic.

There is a parallel for life. You are, in a sense, like the golf club. You can’t do anything on your own. You are only potential. However, if you let Him, God will take hold of your life and provide the direction and power to fulfill His purpose. He can help you find life’s fairway and show you how to progress on the course of life. In fact, in the first part of John 15:5, He says as much: “Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” Basically, those in His grip live lives of purpose.

If Jack Nicklaus thought the grip was the most fundamental element in the golf swing, it makes sense that being in God’s grip is the most fundamental element to living your life the way He intended.

So, how is His grip on your life?

— SCOTT LEHMAN

(PHOTO CREDIT: Wojciech Kulicki)