By: Chris Perry
Brian Davis was, and still is, a relatively unknown golfer who had never won a PGA tournament. However, at Harbour Town Golf Links on April 18, 2010, he was in a playoff with Jim Furyk and found himself in a position to win. While attempting to play a shot out of the hazard, he thought he saw movement out of the corner of his eye. He then called a golf official over, who confirmed his worst fear: Davis had struck a “loose impediment” (in this case, a piece of a reed) during his swing, a violation in the USGA rulebook that carries a two-stroke penalty. After the penalty, Davis was essentially out of contention, and he conceded the tournament to Furyk, along with the $1.026 million check that came with it.
It is worth noting that the infraction was virtually unnoticeable except in super slow-motion replay; thus, had Davis chosen not to point out his error, no one would have noticed, and he could have conceivably won his first PGA match. Instead, his integrity and honesty cost him a victory. How often do we see such character from our professional athletes today? In the midst of adultery, drug use, illegal possession of firearms and a host of other criminal or immoral behavior, what Brian Davis did shines brightly as an indication that virtue is not completely lost.
Let’s put aside professional athletes for a moment. How often do those professing Christianity exhibit such honesty and integrity? Do we find ourselves wanting to “get away” with infractions that surface in our lives? Are we willing to let some errors slide if it means we will benefit in the end? According to Romans 12:17, we are to “…provide things honest in the sight of all men,” and the Psalmist exalts one who “sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not” (Psalm 15:4). “Goodness” is among the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22), a word that carries with it the idea of virtue.
As well, we sometimes are of the impression that we can commit “secret sins” that God will not see, or that the sins we have committed can go unconfessed, and they will as well go unpunished. However, our God is a God who “seeth in secret” (Matthew 6:4, 6, 18), who reveals the “secret sins in the light of His countenance” (Psalm 90:8).
Honesty, integrity and overall virtue are lost to many today. May we, though, as the light of the world and salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13–16), always exemplify godly characteristics—even if it hurts.
