A small green belt separates our back yard from one of the local golf courses. We're far enough away to not have to worry about errant golf balls ending up in our yard, but close enough that the golf course just seems to be an extension of the greenbelt making us feel like we live in an almost park like setting.

I'm not much of a golfer, I used to flog my way around the courses a couple of times a year but due to back problems after the accidents in 1991 I gave it up entirely. My handicap was my technique, coupled with the fact that I could never see the ball after I hit it so I had no idea where it went. I think if I could use a baseball, pick the ball up and hit it with a bat, I would do much better.

Tiger Woods would never have been in any danger from me. I broke 100 on occasion, but only over nine holes. Some people spoke of birdies, bogies and eagles. My scores tended to be more like snowmen (8) and moose (10 - spread the fingers on both hands wide open, now put your thumbs up by your temples, you'll get the idea) on good days.

I have a friend who calls the sport of golf "the ruination of a perfectly good walk."

In some ways that perspective makes sense. We carefully align ourselves and hit the ball with a stick. We hit it repeatedly with differing sticks until in falls in a hole.

Along the route, hidden hazards conspire to keep us from making our goal. Water hazards lurk waiting for a badly aimed shot. Sand traps lie in wait for the unwary. The ever-present rough is waiting to cover the errant ball making it invisible to all but the most diligent searcher.

We rejoice when we get the ball in the hole then take it out and start the process over again. In some ways it's just an endless cycle of effort for a momentary reward.

Life can be like that; we labor onwards to the next goal in life. Hidden hazards along the way can cause all kinds of problems. When we do get to our goal, we find that there isn't really any contentment in it and we move on to the next target.

Contentment is a valuable commodity that is in short supply in the world today. We're bombarded with messages that we need more, bigger, better and faster. We envy our neighbors their success and want to top them.

It's no wonder that one of the Ten Commandments talks of this very subject.

We often think of God as a giant killjoy because of all the "rules" He gave us. Yet they should really be call the TENDER Commandments because they provide clues to living a happy, fulfilled and contented life. They are there for our protection and to help us learn joy, faithfulness and contentment.

Scripture repeatedly points us in the direction of being content.

Until next time, instead of worrying about what someone else has, rejoice in knowing the Lord and be content in whatever circumstances you find yourself.

Be blessed.

Hallelu Yah (Praise God)!

Kevin

Once you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, you are no longer a slave to sin.

Never let the enemy tell you that you are worthless or insignificant. You have value in the eyes of God so great that it was worth dying for. You are a blessing to the world.

The key to contentment in life is to know God and walk in His ways. Anyone can know about God but the ability to know God is left to individual choice. You can have a personal, intimate relationship with God just for the asking.

 If you haven't made the decision to accept Christ as Lord