Any day there is a PGA event on television, you can watch and listen to the commentators speculate on a golfer’s swing, mind set, the decision over a shot they chose to make, or on just about anything the professional is doing. The PGA players are free game for all kinds of speculation. I have often wondered how they handle all the speculating and comments, especially when they are not playing well! I decided to ask a few people who would know: professionals, coaches and mental coaches. They all said, “We don’t recommend the players watch or listen to commentators!!!” After all, they say, it doesn’t matter what the commentators say or what their opinions are; all that matters is what the players do! Great advice!
This advice makes so much sense. The commentators really don’t know! All they can do is speculate based on what they see on the course. They don’t know the ins and outs of what is going on with the golfer. All they see is the outcome. Commentators don’t know what aspects of their game players are working on or what is going on in their personal lives. Even though some of the bigger names can’t hide some of the things going on in their lives, for the most part, the public and commentators don’t know all that is going on with any given player. The same goes for any other sport as well. I just happen to watch a ton of golf so that is my focus. Some commentators can be very positive while others are very negative and their opinion seems to be all that matters!!!
I do relate this sort of speculation to life. All people have, and are entitled to, their own opinions. But the only commentator of our life that really matters is God. 1 Corinthians 2:11, “For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them?” 1 Samuel 16:7, “…The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.” And 1 Corinthians 4:5, “Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.”
God looks at our motives and He is far more concerned with motive than outcome! I have heard it said to our three children many times that they need to focus on what they are trying to do, not the outcome. They are told to not give much attention, in fact, to the outcome but only to the motive and what they are trying to achieve!! WE can all become outcome oriented. I have especially found this to be true in the sport of golf. Too concerned with the score (outcome) instead of concentrating on how to execute or fine tune a specific skill a golfer is working on. For example, in practicing a golf swing, the swing teacher will tell the kids not to worry about where the ball is going but to focus on what they are implementing and trying to do in their swing. The “ball flight and direction will come!”
So it is in life. Going through a daily process of evaluating your motives, why you are doing what you are doing, is much more important to God than the outcome. We are to leave the results up to God. I find in life, if your motives and plans line up with God’s plans, then you need not give any attention to outcome. You can totally trust Him with the results. He cares first about our heart. Others may speculate or even commentate on your motives, focus, implementation of a matter, outcome but God knows your heart. Focus on Him and not the speculation of others.
As Franklin D. Roosevelt said, “There are as many opinions as there are experts.” And Dwight D. Eisenhower said, “Never question a man’s motives. His wisdom yes, but not his motives.” Remembering the wisdom from God is perfect and all-knowing. James 3:17, “But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” Job 12:13, “With God are wisdom and might; he has counsel and understanding.”
I leave you with a quote to ponder before ever offering an opinion on a matter, especially if you may not know the motive behind the outcome, “A man may plant a tree for a number of reasons. Perhaps he likes trees? Perhaps he is in need of shelter. Or perhaps he knows that one day he may need firewood.”—Joanne Harris