The Other Side of the Ropes

The Masters is a great golf tournament for so many reasons, but one thing they do exceptionally well is honor the previous champions and give recognition to the legends. Arnold Palmer will be forever missed by golf fans, but his memory lives on and opportunities to remember him continue. ESPN writer, Ian O’Connor, once wrote an article titled, “Pay Tribute to the King by Acting like Arnie.” Written as a letter to the players in the Master's field, he gave this bold challenge: “Get your heads out of your yardage books, and remove those invisible-yet-ultra-conspicuous ‘Do Not Disturb’ signs dangling from your necks as you march from the practice green to the first tee. “Make as much eye contact as possible with the men, women, and children on the other side of the ropes. Smile at them. Nod at them. Give them a thumbs-up. “And then when your round is over, be sure to spend 20 extra minutes signing autographs than you normally would. Sign as many as Arnie would sign, and you {darn} well better be certain your signature is legible, too.” That’s quite the standard to live up to, but if more golfers incorporated this selfless approach to those on the other side of the ropes, it would have a positive effect. It would help bridge the gap instead of golfers distancing themselves from the patrons. In our own lives, do we negatively view people less successful than we are by placing them on the “other side of the ropes?” Do we struggle to show respect to those in a lower socio-economic class or lower position at work by avoiding them or looking down on them? The way Arnold Palmer respected and interacted with those who weren’t on his side of “the ropes” can be our inspiration. Instead of always putting his head down and quickly getting to the “next hole,” he stopped and engaged with them. Sure it’s one thing for a golfer to pay attention to an adoring fan (a middle-aged man wearing a polo shirt and wanting a high five), but I think the principle translates to our lives when it comes to someone less fortunate whose hand is held out. When asked to help a homeless family or a friend who lost his job or a single mom down the street, do we just ignore them, distance ourselves, and walk on by...or do we reach out to them with love and humility? 1 John 3:17-18 (ESV) tells us, “But if anyone has the world’s goods and sees his brother in need, yet closes his heart against him, how does God’s love abide in him? Little children, let us not love in word or talk but in deed and in truth.” Proverbs 21:13 (ESV) encourages us with this challenge: “Whoever closes his ear to the cry of the poor will himself call out and not be answered.” Arnold Palmer was considered the King of Golf, and his standard will not be forgotten. However, as followers of Jesus, we respond to an even higher standard when we serve people sacrificially and show them God’s abundant love. We become more like the King of Kings when we’re willing to go to the “other side of the ropes” – just like He did. I’m Bryce Johnson and you can UNPACK that! PRAYER: Heavenly Father, thank you for sending Jesus to the other side of the ropes when He came to earth to die for me. Help me follow His example in how I care for, respect, and love others. I pray I'd be willing to stop more and help those in need. Please empower me with Your love. In Jesus’ name, I pray, Amen.