Daily Devotional: Friday, June 7 – The Real Stories

“Lastly, brothers and sisters, no matter is true, no matter is noble, no matter is true, no matter is pure, no matter is gorgeous, no matter is admirable — if something is superb or praiseworthy — take into consideration such issues.” — Philippians 4:8

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On the 2023 PGA Championship, the headlines centered on who would take residence the trophy. Would Rory McIlroy lastly finish his main drought? Would Brooks Koepka win his fifth? The journalists and interviews and articles celebrated the massive names, as they rightly ought to. And, on the finish of the weekend, Koepka was certainly the one who took residence the title. However one take a look at social media and the crowds available to look at the match, and there was a wholly totally different story unfolding.

Michael Block, who spent most of his profession working as a membership professional in Southern California, was making a shocking and spectacular run within the match, drawing consideration as a feel-good story. His two even-par ends in the primary couple rounds earned him the prospect to play the weekend, and likewise put him in rivalry for a attainable top-10 or top-15 end — the perfect outcome for a membership professional in a long time. Followers wished to see historical past made, and likewise to cheer for an underdog who had an opportunity. He even sank an unimaginable hole-in-one within the closing spherical, which drew crowd-roars at a degree one would count on for Tiger Woods. Block ended up getting a top-15 end and an automated invitation to the following yr’s PGA Championship, in addition to very nice paycheck. However greater than that, Block received hearts for exemplifying the on a regular basis golfer — for being the individuals’s man.

Because the match progressed, it was fascinating to look at the 2 storylines at play. Whereas the media largely centered on what the highest names within the sport had been doing, it was inconceivable for anybody to disregard the sudden recognition Block had gained and the best way we as people love to drag for the little man. We get pleasure from it when the highest athletes win, however we additionally do dwell for a great underdog story of overcoming odds and defying expectations.

As a author, I’ve discovered through the years that the true story isn’t what makes the highest headline. There may be usually one thing equally, if no more, necessary mendacity behind the primary storyline that deserves consideration and help. Whereas sure individuals or occasions could seize the entrance web page, there’s at all times that hidden gem simply dying to be heard.

I ponder if individuals aren’t related in a method. We regularly focus, just like the media, on apparent issues like profession and skillset, whereas concurrently ignoring character and fervour — intangibles, issues of the guts and soul. We applaud the massive names and the massive strikes, but usually miss that there are on a regular basis individuals residing out on a regular basis greatness proper in entrance of us who won’t ever make a headline or garner the identical degree of reward.

In 1 Samuel 16:7, God made some extent that “individuals take a look at the outward look, however the Lord appears on the coronary heart.” I consider we’d do properly to rethink what we reward in at present’s tradition. It’s definitely superb to cheer on a winner, however isn’t the one who overcame nice odds additionally victorious? Regardless that, like Michael Block, he leaves with out the massive trophy?

Maybe we have to look previous the highest headline to be able to discover the true story. We simply could also be shocked.

— Katherine Singer

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