Deceit

There’s a new film out called “Phantom of the Open” staring Mark Rylance. The film is about the worst golfer in Open history, who it turns out, wasn’t a golfer at all. He was a hoaxer. He was a liar. He was full of deceit. But, in 1976 he fooled the authorities of the British Open by declaring he was professional golfer. Maurice Flitcroft was, in fact a crane driver from Borrow-in-Furness in Cumbria. And he had never played golf. Never. Not once. He was inspired by an American postal worker who, in 1965, had entered the Open and posted a score 221 for two rounds. To put that in perspective, professional golfers playing the British Open will post a two round score of around 135-140! He wasn’t good. Maurice Flitcroft had to paly in a qualifying event in order to play in the Open proper. Having never actually played golf, he got a book by the famous Peter Alliss to learn how to play! It was a flawed tactic. He posted a score of 121, 49 shots over par. It was the worst ever score recorded in Open history. He tried again the next year and because he was so bad and not a professional golfer, he wasn’t allowed in. He changed his name and over the next few years tried under a number of different names and disguises. He was never allowed to play in the British Open. He wasn’t a golfer, he was a liar. He was so bad at golf, that after just two shots of his qualifying round the other players in his group asked the Open officials to check him out! It might sound funny now. We might think of Maurice Flitcroft and say well done for trying. But the truth is, he lied. And he continued to lie for years. He was full of deceit. He wasn’t a professional golfer. He wasn’t even a good amateur golfer. He wasn’t even as good as me! I, of course, would never do what Maurice Flitcroft did. But I am capable of deceit. Maurice Flitcroft thought he was actually good at golf according to one friend. I am capable of that, of thinking I’m better than I am: a better husband, father, minister, colleague, friend, counsellor, chaplain. I am quite capable of living in deceit about myself. I don’t always tell the truth, not the whole truth. I can lie by what I don’t say. or by what I imply. I don’t always do what I say I will. What I say with my mouth doesn’t always match what I’m thinking. I can sing in church but not mean the words. I know stuff about me that nobody else knows. The Bible says that God hates liars: “The Lord hates those who tell lies but is pleased with those who keep their promises.” I think I might have some work to do. And it might be something to do with the truth: the truth about myself and the truth about God. God hates liars, but he is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love (Psalm 103). He is always ready to forgive and always waiting with open arms when we come to him. I might choose to watch the film “Phantom of the Opera” because it might be good for me. It might remind that it is, ultimately only the truth that sets me free (John 8:32).