The Master of the Masters

The eyes of the world were on 31-year-old Zach Johnson after his win at the Augusta National Golf Club on Sunday afternoon. In an interview shortly after the win, the Iowa native talked about his wife and 14-week-old son, thanked his coaches and to the surprise of many, gave glory to God.

With all the attention on Tiger, most golf enthusiasts put Johnson way down the list as a possible contender. Though considered a master with his irons, he ranks 57 in driving distance among the 60 players who made the cut. As the tournament progressed, however, he continued to climb the leader list. He started the final round two shots behind third-round leader Stuart Appleby and one behind four-time Masters champion Tiger Woods, the heavy favorite in Sunday's sunny, but cool final round.

Johnson took the lead with birdies on holes 13, 14 and 16 and never surrendered it despite a bogey on the 17th hole. Less than a half-hour later, he was wearing the Green Jacket awarded to each year's Masters champion and was handed the opportunity to share the secrets of his success to legions of golfers and the worldwide sports media. During his acceptance speech, Johnson said "Because it's Easter today, I want to say, 'Thank You, Jesus'."

In each of his national and regional TV interviews following the traditional champion's dinner late Sunday, Johnson continued to speak openly about his faith and what it meant for him to share such an experience on one of the most important days of the year for Christians. He also expressed humility. "I'm very normal. I'm as normal as they come," he said. "I love to play a game for a living. I love to play this game for just what it is, golf. I appreciate it and I feel honored to play golf for a living. Today was a day of perseverance and patience and redemption."

You and I will probably never have an audience of millions on television or in print, but still God gives us opportunities to point others to our faith in Christ. In both our successes and our failures, we can help others see how the power of Christ strengthens and sustains us. 1 Peter 3:15 commands us to “set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect…”

Shoulder to Shoulder,

Gregg

God’s Faith Hall of Fame

He was affectionately known in the world of sports as “Lord Byron.” John Byron Nelson was born Feb. 4, 1912, on the family farm in Waxahachie, Texas, and started in golf in 1922 as a caddie at Glen Garden Country Club in Fort Worth. On September 26, 2006 his wife found him slumped in his chair on the back porch of their Roanoke ranch. He had died quietly at the age of 94.

After graduating from high school, Nelson got a job as a file clerk in the accounting office of the Forth Worth and Denver Railroad and played golf in his spare time. He lost his job during the Great Depression but found work in 1931 with a bankers’ magazine.

The same year, he entered his first tournament, the National Amateur in Chicago, where he missed qualifying by one stroke. With jobs hard to find, he turned professional in 1932. In 1944, he won 13 of the 23 tournaments he played, but it was the following year that will forever live as one of the greatest in golf history.

“The Streak” as it came to be called, was Nelson’s incredible achievement of winning 11 tournaments in a row in 1945. He went on to win 18 tournaments in 1945, also a record for a calendar year. He captured 31 of 54 tournaments in 1944-45, and won a total of 52 events, including five majors. Nelson was voted AP Male Athlete of the Year in 1944 and 1945. He was elected to the PGA Hall of Fame in 1953 and to the World Golf Hall of Fame in 1974. Players today say it is doubtful that anyone will match or beat the record of 11 tournament wins in a row.

When asked how he wanted to be remembered. Nelson often responded, “I think the thing people will always talk about me is my degree of consistency on the golf course, winning money in 113 tournaments, but I want to be remembered as a good man and a Christian man. That’s all that really matters.”

Nelson was an active member at the Richland Hills Church of Christ and proudly stated that he was a Christian, churchgoing man who “didn’t smoke, drink or carouse or hang with girls who do.” PGA Tour chaplain Larry Moody, who knew Nelson well, commented, “Byron was a great man and a great golfer, but most importantly he was a great follower of Jesus Christ. He wasn’t pushy, but he would never hesitate to tell you if somebody said he was great that it was because of who Jesus Christ was in him.”

God also has a Hall of Fame. Hebrews chapter 11 is sometimes referred to as “God’s Faith Hall of Fame.” Here we are told that Moses chose to be remembered for his faith, rather than for worldly fame, “By faith Moses, when he had grown up, refused to be known as the son of Pharaoh's daughter. He regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward.”

My friend, I hope you will follow Moses’ and Byron’s example and live your life with an eye on eternity. I encourage you to pursue fame in God’s kingdom so that you may also leave behind a living legacy of faith in Christ.

Shoulder to shoulder,

Gregg