“The deepest places of your heart..”

For quite some time, I’ve been going back to Scottie Schefflers interview after he won the Open Championship. He is the current #1 golfer in the world and is impressive on multiple levels. The thing that has gotten the most media attention lately though is what he said in his interview about choosing his faith and family over his career. He made some comments about this both before and after he won the Open Championship.

Before the golf tournament started, here is what he said ( video clip ):

“Winning golf tournaments is fulfilling in a sense of accomplishment, but it’s not fulfilling in the deepest places of your heart. There’s a lot of people that make it to what they thought was going to fulfill them in life, and then you get there and think, “What’s the point?” If I win, it’s going to be awesome for about two minutes. Does this fulfill the deepest wants and desire of my heart? Absolutely not. That’s why I talk about my faith and family so much. If golf ever effected my home life, that’s going to be the last day I play for a living. That’s why I ask myself why winning is so important for me? I’de rather be a great father than a great golfer.”

Then in another interview after he won ( video clip ), he says this in response to a question someone asked him about what he said about feeling fulfilled for two minutes:

“Having success in life, whether it be golf, at work, or whatever it is – that’s not what fulfills the deepest desires of your heart. I’m grateful for it and can’t wait to get home and celebrate it with others, but it doesn’t fulfill the deepest desires of your heart. Just because you win a golf tournament, it doesn’t make you happy. Maybe for a few moments or days, but at the end of the day there is more to life than playing golf. I don’t identify myself by being a good golfer or famous. It’s faith, family and then golf. I don’t feel anything different because I’ve won a golf tournament. I try to live as normal of a life as possible.”

These conversations have gained a lot of media attention and caught people’s attention. The reporters seemed to keep coming back to his comments over and over again, as if some of they were in shock. Tom Brady even pushed back with some comments.

Here is the deal though, Scottie Schleffer is speaking about his perspective in life. He is outspoken (as every Christian should strive to be) that he is a Christian and follows Jesus. He is outspoken that he loves his family and thanks God for everything he’s been given. Because this is his reality, he is more free’d up to enjoy the game of golf without making it his identity.

The reason so many are in shock, is because that is not the normal around us. We are fed the lie that success and fame will satisfy us, but deep down, we all know that’s not true. Many people have come to respect Scottie even more and I’m sure are taking his words to heart. I know his comments have personally challenged me. What’s the why behind what I pursue and do? Am I keeping everything in perspective (My faith, family, and then everything else)?

You can have all the treasures of this world, but if you don’t have a relationship with the Lord, you have nothing of lasting value. This makes me think of the book of Ecclesiastes:

I also gathered for myself silver and gold and the treasure of kings and provinces. I got singers, both men and women, and many concubines, the delight of the sons of man. So I became great and surpassed all who were before me in Jerusalem. Also my wisdom remained with me. And whatever my eyes desired I did not keep from them. I kept my heart from no pleasure, for my heart found pleasure in all my toil, and this was my reward for all my toil. Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun.

He who loves money will not be satisfied with money, nor he who loves wealth with his income; this also is vanity.

It’s not that God doesn’t want us to work hard, enjoy what we do and make a difference around us (see Colossians 3:23-24). He wants us though, to keep it all in perspective. Don’t put all your eggs in the basket of your career or achievements, because they will come and go. Place the foundation of your life on Jesus and what He’s given you, then everything else will fall into place.

Whether people realize it or not, this is what we all want. We need Jesus first, though. Do you know Jesus? Trust in Him!

I’m sure it took courage to say what what Scottie said, but it’s the real deal.