Hebrews 12:1

Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,

The Masters never disappoints. Even in years when it seemed someone has ran away and hid with an early low score, something dramatic always happens on the weekend to make it interesting. Tiger Woods made a big move yesterday and is within one shot of the five-way of the lead at -7. Tiger posted a 70 Thursday, then followed with a 68 yesterday. As good as he has been, one can’t help to think what could be. He is driving the ball with precision and power comparable to those 20 years younger. He has even made some difficult bending and speedy putts. However, he has missed at least five or six putts within 5-6 feet. Putting is the one area of his game that has held back the experts from saying “Tiger is fully back to his dominant self!” Each of us have that one aspect of our lives which thwarts or has the potential to hinder us from fully becoming what God intends. Whether that one thing is alcohol, pornography, recreation, work, or even food, we all have an area which we allow to hinder our spiritual growth. Each potential hindrance affects each of us differently. What may never be an attraction for you is something that I battle against daily. The scripture describes our life and daily battle as a race. The key to controlling “the sin which doth easily beset us” is patience. When we take the time to fully consider an area, we are able to discern its full impact upon our lives. If we consistently miss church because it is the day we play golf or if conflict with our spouse always arises after we have a couple drinks with friends, we must step back and consider the impacts our actions. It is too easy to rationalize our behavior with the “I work hard all week and serve one day of recreation” or the “it was only a couple beers and my wife is just unreasonable.” Working on controlling these areas is a process and requires adjustments to what has become our routine. Life changes do not happen overnight and nothing worth achieving is immediate. We must be patient, prayerful, and cognizant of the spiritual consequences in every choice we make. Be patient and have faith God will make us overcomers of our nemesis – even three footers!