Devotionals

A Ready Story

by Anne Adams
06/19/26
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Joe had two passions – golf and his duties as head usher on Sunday mornings at church. Usually there was no conflict between the two – until one bright and cool Sunday morning when he woke up and decided that it was a perfect day for 18 holes.  Ignoring the twinge of reminding awareness about his church duties he replaced it with the anticipation of an early tee time and what would follow. Surely, he thought, the other ushers would be fine without him and surely the tiny fib to the pastor about his not feeling well would be harmless. So with all that done he soon arrived at the course.

Strangely, there didn’t seem to be any other players on the course, but the pro told him that it was still early. Indeed, it was apparently so early the even the caddies hadn’t come to work yet. Though it seemed strange and puzzling since he’d never played on Sunday before he didn’t think much of it. Soon he was out on the course by himself, pulling his club bag on wheels behind him.  

Joe arrived at the first hole where he inserted the tee, placed his ball and took a practice swing. Then he made his drive and watched as the ball made an arc as it flew straight down the fairway toward the first hole. There it dropped and rolled – right into the cup. A hole in one!

Then as Joe stared in shocked awe he was completely unaware that there were two invisible angels nearby who had seen everything. After a pause, one shook his head. "It just doesn't seem right," he said. "Here he plays hooky from church and then he does something amazing like that."

"Oh, I think he's have learned his lesson," the other smiled. "After all, who's he going to tell?"

Indeed, that might certainly be a challenge for Joe – particularly if he wanted to talk about what how well he was serving God. Or as some would say – giving his testimony.

That’s a silly story, but in a way it’s something that could happen to us. Of course as faithful believers, we all want to present a true testimony – one that glorifies God. However, there are times – like with Joe – when we fall short and our example isn’t really what it should be.

Yet what’s amazing is that if we do indeed fall short in maintaining an effective “testimony” then that failure doesn’t have to be permanent.  The wonderful reality is that with our confession God is always ready to forgive our failures, and then continue to provide what we need for continued service.

How’s your "testimony"? Under the right conditions, sometimes it's exactly what someone needs to hear and see - as God opens the way.