The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead, he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish but everyone to come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9, NIV)
A new course is being designed near Greenville, SC, called Kawonu (Indian name for Duck) by the talented and skilled course architect Andrew Green.
His excellent work includes renovations at legendary courses such as East Lake, Congressional, Oak Hill, Charlotte Country Club, and a total redo of Karsten Creek in Stillwater, OK.
Kawonu Golf Club is the first ground-up new course Andrew will design, and according to many, including himself, it seems God has laid out an incredible piece of property for this golf club. As you can imagine, it’s by invitation only to join, and it has a high price tag if you are invited.
There is another “club” that has a membership, a very exclusive club with a huge initiation fee. Like most exclusive clubs, you have to be invited to join. This club has also been called “the Church.”
The designer is none other than God himself, who spoke this world and all of creation into existence. He wants to have a loving relationship with all His created beings and made membership in His club very specific. You have to be part of His family.
The requirement to be in most clubs, particularly very private clubs, is a vetting process that normally includes a sponsor or sponsors for a recommendation, background checks, a waiting period, a non-refundable deposit, a meet and greet of board members, and a list of rules and policies that rival the IRS. Ok, that was a stretch, but you get the point. Many golf clubs are very protective and very private.
God’s Club has only one small requirement for membership: PERFECTION. That’s right. If you want in, then all you have to do is be perfect.
That eliminates me. Thankfully, the scriptures reveal “…God showed His love for us while we were sinners Christ died for us” (Romans 5: 8). Yes, IMPERFECT humans are invited, and the requirement is to “believe”.
As Matthew records Jesus’ words, “But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy and not sacrifice.’ For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Matthew 9: 12 & 13).
Most of those reading today’s devotion have never heard of the Kawonu Golf Club. Sadly, how many have heard of God’s invitation to be part of His club/family but have refused it? Maybe because they’ve been told it’s about performance-based rules and laws, and who knows how good is good enough.
We’ve been offered access, and it’s only because Jesus paid our initiation fee, monthly dues, and any possible future assessments in full when He took our sin, shame, and guilt upon Himself on the cross—he, and he alone, met God’s requirement for perfection.
Why? So we could be in right standing with the Father. Being with Him forever and loved by Him forever is more than any club on this earth can offer us.
Friends, please don’t let this “member invitation” slip away because of stubborn and foolish pride. We can’t earn or buy our way into it and no one on earth can put in a good word for us to be accepted.
The way in is through one gatekeeper—Jesus, who said, “I am the Way, the Truth, and the Life; no one comes to the Father except through me.”
Receive His free gift by faith in Jesus and enjoy the many blessings and benefits of His grace and mercy now as you live in the power of the Holy Spirit. All of the other benefits are out of this world!
Prayer: Jesus, Thank you for inviting us to be part of your family.