The great golfer, Ben Hogan, had many failures at the beginning of his career. After playing a few tournaments and winning nothing, he would end up broke and have to return home to Texas. He was never discouraged and kept working on his game. He said his motto back then was; “Yesterdays gone, that’s why they report it in the newspapers.”
As we enter a New Year, forget the failures and regrets of last year. Look to the hope of today. Don’t be like Job’s friends who looked only to “past generations” and lamented, “For we are only of yesterday and know nothing” (Job 8: 8,9). Instead, recall the words of Paul as he announced, “One thing I do, forgetting what lies behind”, he joyfully proclaimed, “I look forward to what lies ahead” (Ph. 3:13).
What a blessing we now have: the New Year to look forward to! Think of the challenges, goals, opportunities, and successes that lay before us for the taking. Ben Hogan would end his career having won sixty-four tournaments, including nine Majors. His early failures can only be found in yesterday’s newspapers. Let it be true for us as well as we eagerly welcome in a new year.
-Dennis Doughty
