“… they left everything and followed Jesus.” (Luke 5:11 NLT).

Today (March 18) is my 72nd Birthday. If life was a metaphorical round of golf, and if the life actuarial tables are accurate, I am now standing on the 15th Tee. That got my attention. Let me explain.

Black and white TV golf in the 1960’s was mesmerizing for me. They only showed the last four holes. Thus, the 15th tee was always the opening scene in a great drama.

Arnold Palmer or Jack Nicklaus or Gary Player or Billy Casper would appear on the stage. Announcers like Jim McKay or Chris Schenkel would provide a brief review of what we missed on the first fourteen holes. Even the Masters tournament in Augusta started with the now-famous downhill par five 15th hole.

So, I have played fourteen holes and now stand on the 15th tee. How will I finish? What drama lies ahead for these final holes of life?

Age 72 is a good time to look back and remember. “Those who are wise will take all this to heart; they will see in our history the faithful love of the Lord.” (Psalm 107:43).

In reflecting back on about my life, I seem to be about even par. Notice I did not say ‘bogey-free’. Getting to even par has been a journey- a few solid pars, some routine bogeys, even two double bogeys, with a few birdies along the way.

So how can we finish well? Let me re-create the scene from my novel, Player’s Progress: A Golfer’s Search for Wisdom (Page 81). Lucas Friend has brought his younger pal ProV to Hokmah Golf Club, hoping he will meet the Lord Almighty and find wisdom. He arrives in the pro shop and remembers that the club’s green fees required “everything”. This would be the most expensive golf trip of his life.

“Lucas stepped up to the counter. He already knew the deal. His host Andrew Evangel had paid the green fees twelve years ago and never regretted it for one minute. Lucas knew this was the perfect way to start the last few years of his life. At 72, it was time. Time to give it all.”

Hiram then explained the fees.

‘Sir, the green fees are simple. Just sign this document. Read it carefully. You are signing over everything you have to the club. I know it sounds extravagant, but we do offer a full money back guarantee if you’re not satisfied. Nothing to lose. And full payment allows you one guest for free.’ As he signed, Lucas paused to tell Hiram, ‘My cousin and friend Andrew brought me here last time. He told me about these outlandishly expensive green fees. When I politely tried to stop him, he told me Jesus said, ‘Leave everything behind and follow me.’ Andrew told me that, in his view, most people who call themselves Christian now do just the opposite. He said, ‘They keep everything and ask Jesus to follow them.’ That stuck in my head these last twelve years.”

So, sure enough. Lucas pays the fees. At age 72, it was time to give it all.

In 1970, at just eighteen years old, I was on the 3rd hole in my golf round metaphor as I made a ‘birdie’ by giving my life to Jesus. But now, with over fifty years of hindsight, I realize that Jesus was giving His life to me. I actually gave Him very little.

But now, just like Lucas, I am on the 15th tee. And it is time. Time to give it all!

How about you?