Written by: Mary Kate Smith

Ever since I was little, I have always been a high achiever. I worked as hard as I could in school and on the golf course, and I still never felt like I was working hard enough. As I got older, I slowly let my performance in the classroom and on the course determine my worth. This game that I started playing for fun on Sundays after church with my dad now became my identity. 
 
I thought college golf would change these feelings. That was the dream, so once I got it, I would be satisfied, right? The pressure to perform that I put on myself for playing a college sport was even greater than I ever had in high school. It caused me to play from a place of fear and it harmed my performance. 
 
This summer, I had a breakthrough. You must have an internship to graduate with a business degree from Lipscomb. My only opportunity to do one was this summer, and I was a nervous wreck. Usually, I spend my summers on the golf course all day and playing in multiple tournaments. However, this summer I had to work a 9-5 job. How was I supposed to improve my game if I couldn't play golf every day? I had all the fears. 
 
God used this internship to force me to trust him. I was not able to play and practice as much as I normally would, but my game improved more than ever before. My life no longer revolved around golf. I decided that I was done playing out of fear. I decided to play for the audience of One. Before my first tournament, I chose to play with freedom. I chose to focus on the truths of whom God says I am. I chose to believe that I was a good golfer, no matter what the score was. And most importantly, I chose to believe that I will still love myself no matter what the score was. 
 
The timing of my breakthrough is special. This has been the most successful season in Lipscomb Women's golf history. God does not squash us to lift himself higher. He walks alongside us and pushes us to excellence, which he uses to glorify him. The best part of this season is seeing his work through us. We are getting Lipscomb Golf's name on the map and people are noticing. They see there is something different about us.
 
We must remind ourselves of these truths that God says about us daily. We must put on the armor of God to live out the purposes he has for us, in a world that says differently. Here are some of my truths I have written in my yardage book: 
 
Golf is not my identity. I am a daughter of the King. 
 
My golf performance or score does not define my worth. I am more precious than rubies. 
 
No matter how the round goes, I will still love myself and view myself as a good golfer.
 
I want to encourage each of you of the same: no matter what your performance looks like...  you are loved, you are valuable, you are worthy, and you have a purpose.