This weekend marks one of my favorite times of the summer. It is our course’s annual member/guest tournament. The committee tries to make it as comfortable for the participants as possible as both days will be played in scramble format. The thinking is that alternative shot and best ball formats make for sometimes awkward moments which are to be avoided when the club has visitors. The two person format is enjoyable because the participants can play as a team. When a birdie is made, the team score has a circle around it. When one player didn’t bring his driver that day, odds are the partner will find a few fairways to pick up the team along the way. If one is not putting well, he at least can show the proper line to the partner.

Life as a Christian is lived in similar fashion. Life is better when you face adversity as a team. Early in life, our families were the ones who we had to fall back on. They provided both emotional and financial support. If you are married, your spouse not only shares in your victories, but supports you in times of struggle or sickness. He or she was made to be your emotional support as well. The brothers and sisters at your church support you in similar fashion. They are always present in your corner and you can trust them with your deepest concerns.

Just as adversity rears it’s head on the golf course, adversity is inevitable within our families, our marriage, and our church. If each of the relationships or institutions are not built upon Christ, the relationships don’t stand a chance. Christ is not only the foundation of every relationship, He is also the battery. He is to be our partner in every endeavor. Without Christ, all man’s successes are in vain. Without a relationship with Christ, failure is always the final result. As was written above in Ecclesiastes, woe unto the man who falls alone. You didn’t live in the 1980’s unless you remember the Life Alert “Help Me I’ve Fallen And Can’t Get Up” commercials. These devices were to be worn by the elderly or those susceptible to accident or injury. If alone and had an accident, the person could use the alert to reach family or emergency personnel. A person is most vulnerable when he or she is alone. Therefore, we must have a strong team in our corner to stand behind and catch us. Christ is the ultimate life partner. No matter how close we may be to our family, spouse or friends, our relationship with Christ is the priority.