If you checked out the U.S. Open this past weekend, you couldn’t help but focus one of the most talked about topics:  Age.  The guy who won it all…Rory McIlroy… is among the youngest to win the U.S Open throughout it’s long history.  It’s kind of funny that someone so young, so talented, so lively and confident could literally destroy a field or 150+ “professional” golfers in a record setting performance.

McIlroy is sure to be the next phenomenon of the golf world.  He’s talented, courteous, and he is a great role model for the game.  But, where should we really put the focus?  Is it the 16 under performance or the reaction when he tapped in the winning putt on the 18^th?  No…the focus should be on what McIlroy encountered after the fact: Graeme McDowell.  McDowell, a Veteran on the PGA tour and a decade older than McIlroy, cheered on young Rory on until the final putt. After the round was over, McDowell greeted Rory with a massive bear hug and told him how proud of him he was.  Of course, that wasn’t the first time they had spoken the entire week.  McDowell is a constant advocate of McIlroy and has given him several words of encouragement even before Rory stepped onto the PGA tour.  It’s that type of support that makes Rory McIlroy a great candidate for the next revolutionary golf figure in the sports world.  Support from mentors who respect him as a person, not a “youngster”.

 While they were still talking about this, Jesus himself stood among them and said to them, “Peace be with you.” They were startled and frightened, thinking they saw a ghost. He said to them, “Why are you troubled, and why do doubts rise in your minds? Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have.” When he had said this, he showed them his hands and feet. And while they still did not believe it because of joy and amazement, he asked them, “Do you have anything here to eat?” They gave him a piece of broiled fish, and he took it and ate it in their presence. He said to them, “This is what I told you while I was still with you: Everything must be fulfilled that is written about me in the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms.” Then he opened their minds so they could understand the Scriptures. He told them, “This is what is written: The Messiah will suffer and rise from the dead on the third day, and repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.” Luke 24:36-49

You have to wonder what the disciples were going through after Jesus’ death.  They had placed their whole trust in Him and had given up their lives to follow Jesus by simple faith.  What a glorious and relieving day it must have been for the disciples when Jesus returned to this earth to give them a big “bear hug” of encouragement.

You see, young people (like McIlroy and the Disciples) can have all the passion, liveliness, vigor, innovation, and desire in their hearts to do anything in this world, but without the love and support of the people who have been around the block a time or two, the ability to succeed is decreased dramatically.  It is the Graeme McDowells of the world that allow young people to thrive in their atmospheres, and it is Jesus who gives us the passion and desire to thrive for Him.

So, what are you doing today to allow a young person thrive in Jesus’ name?  Are you being a supportive figure like McDowell is to McIlroy, or are you sitting on the sidelines as the young guns climb past you while you struggle to keep them down or simply ignore them?