For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13, ESV)
The 2021 AIG Women’s Open was contested at Carnoustie Golf Club. Carnoustie has been the site of many championships and is known as one of the great golf destinations. One interesting fact about this links property is that there are no memberships. To play, you need a ticket. If you don’t have a ticket, then you can add your name to a waitlist and hope for an opening.
The British Open is similar. The fans need a ticket to enter the gates and the players need to earn a spot to play. But an Open championship is an Open because any female golfer, professional or amateur with a low handicap, can try to qualify. The final field represents women from many different countries and all ages, but only 144 tee-up on the first day of play.
As I watched bits of the telecast, I started thinking about different religions. According to google.com, there are nearly 4,300 different religions in the world. Twelve of these are considered “major” religions, one of which is Christianity. Each of these 12 religions has its own writings, standards, and rules to determine whether you are included or excluded. We could even say, for every religion except for one, you must earn a ticket to qualify.
The worldly riches from winning a golf tournament will never compare to the riches that God bestows on all who call on him as the one they choose to follow.
Christianity is different. We don’t have to earn a ticket to become a part of the group. We don’t have to meet any specific standard or handicap. We don’t have to look a certain way. There is no one specific uniform or dialect or location that gets you into the gates.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus. He alone qualifies us to be in relationship with the God of heaven and earth.
As a person who has struggled with performance-based identity for a long time, I constantly must remind myself that God loves me for being me. It’s way too easy to fall back into the trap that I must earn my way into relationship with Jesus. I actively need to choose to stop long enough to see his kind eyes and sense his presence.
There was one winner at the 2021 AIG Women’s Open and she deserves to be celebrated. But the worldly riches from winning a golf tournament will never compare to the riches that God bestows on all who call on him as the one they choose to follow. These riches are spiritual blessings that no man or disease or war can take away.
“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Jesus.
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Tracy Hanson
August 26, 2021
Copyright 2021 Links Players International
The Links Daily Devotional appears Monday-Friday at www.linksplayers.com.
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