The Diamond Club
The entire Noble clan, all eight of us, flew to Oahu, Hawaii in August for our first official family vacation. We spent six nights and seven days discovering the wonders of the island and culture. Since my husband and I vacationed in Oahu on two prior trips, our joy came from watching our children and grandchildren delight in their first-time visit.
We landed and our Griswold moments began (for those who recall the hilariously funny movie, National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, you know what I mean. If you don’t, watch the movie). As we headed towards the baggage claim to secure our luggage, I commented to my husband, “I think we are headed in the wrong direction” (I noticed no one else went in the direction we were going in). He responded, “I know what I’m doing.” And so, we walked… and walked… and walked until a dead-end… no baggage claim in sight. We scurried back, tired after an eight-hour flight trying not to miss the transportation waiting for us. That was the first Griswold moment. We experienced a few more, but learned to laugh through them all.
We stayed at a Hilton property and paid for a package deal that included free buffet breakfast each morning. I informed everyone that if they missed breakfast, they robbed themselves of free food until lunch. The first morning we realized that the large breakfast area filled up fast and we ended up eating at separate tables. In order to eat together, we decided that two or three of us would scramble down to the breakfast area early and try to secure a table, or put two tables together to seat all eight of us.
We followed this routine for the next two days… two of us holding a table while the rest of the group went through the buffet line. Since the breakfast room opened up to the pool and cabana area, we also tried to secure a shady spot to avoid the heat of the sun. But because breakfast time was a madhouse, this was a hard task to accomplish. People were everywhere. Everybody was in rush. It was crazy!
On the fourth day, my husband, older son, and I came down first, and I proceeded to search for a table for us while they hit the buffet line. I found one and started adding the chairs to it. One of the waiters came by to help me. I noticed a sign to the left of me that said, “Diamond Club Members Only.” I stopped and thought, we are Diamond Club Members with Hilton, so I asked the waiter about the sign. He informed me that the grey wristbands given to us at check-in to wear for breakfast signified that we belonged to the Diamond club. We were set apart from the large open area that served the general guests.
Oh Happy Day started playing in my head! He quickly ushered me into the smaller air-conditioned room with tables and chairs covered in linen and already set up to seat families. The room also included a coffee/juice bar, additional treats, and a private waiter. I thanked him, put my belongings on a chair and quickly went to inform the rest of the family.
We all sat down, blessed the food, and laughed about it. We got so busy and distracted by our beautiful surroundings that we didn’t take the time to listen or read all that the club offered us to make our stay more enjoyable. I made a comment about being a part of the Diamond Club and missing out on three days of benefits it offered. Branden, my oldest son, commented, “I hear a blog coming.”
I wonder how many benefits we miss out on simply because we forget that we belong to an elite club. 1 Peter 2:9 reminds us that we are a “a Chosen Race, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR GOD’S OWN POSSESSION.” My Christian brothers and sisters, we belong to the Diamond Club of God!
Yet, we get so busy and distracted by the things of this world that we neglect to listen to God’s still voice. We fail to read His Word which explains so many benefits the club offers to make our stay on earth more enjoyable. And just as we were set apart in the breakfast buffet from the large open area that served the general guests, Diamond Club members are set apart from the world for God’s work in service to others.
We as believers, stand rich beyond measure in Jesus Christ. Our heavenly bank account contains every spiritual blessing needed for living life to the fullest: adoption, acceptance, redemption, forgiveness, salvation, love, wisdom, inheritance, the seal of the Holy Spirit, citizenship of God’s family and so much more!
Sadly, too many Christians live ignorant of their wealth and relegate themselves to living as spiritual paupers among the general population. They fail to draw upon the huge spiritual endowment and use all the resources available to live life to the fullest and to the glory of God.
I don’t know about you, but I intend to live as I am… I am rich beyond measure because I belong to the Diamond Club of God and can never lose my membership! The more I read and study His Word, the more I can hear His voice reminding me of all the privileges and benefits He offers me. As a diamond member, God the Father chose me, The Son Jesus Christ redeemed me, and the Holy Spirit sealed me! So, I can relax and enjoy my stay here on this side of eternity.
Why? Simply …
ALOHA