Golfing in Glory

“Learn the divine skill of making God all things to you.” – C.H. Spurgeon

On Monday, I had a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play golf on the most exclusive private course in Indian River County. It was founded by six multi-millionaires who, as the story goes, got tired of having to book tee times at their previous (and almost as exclusive) golf club. And so, they banded together… bought some land… hired a world-renowned architect… and built their own course.

On the last day of their golf season – which this year was May 15th – they open the course to their employees and their guests. Since one of the groundskeepers attends a church in the area and I am friends with the pastor there, I was invited to fill out a foursome.

All I can say is… WOW!!!

What a spectacular layout and what pristine playing conditions! Just like Augusta National, home of the Masters tournament, I doubt there is a single weed anywhere on the property.

If iPhones didn’t have cameras, I would have been out of luck, because I took what we used to call “a whole roll” of pictures. In between snapping photos. I managed to hit a few golf shots – some good, some mediocre, and some horrendous. The best of the lot was an 8-iron from about 135 yards over water that landed about 10 feet from the flag. Sadly, I didn’t sink the birdie putt, but that didn’t put the slightest damper on my day.

You see, because I absolutely love everything about golf – its history, its etiquette, its camaraderie, and its scenery – I just drank in the experience for all it was worth. When I was done, I thanked our host for his kind invitation and praised God for the opportunity.

To see His creation in all its glory was just a small glimpse of what heaven will be like. In fact, inside the majestic clubhouse, my pastor friend made mention of how much more palatial our mansions in heaven will be than that stately building.

“If it comes down to a mansion or a golf membership in Glory,” I told him, “I’ll take the golf.” After all, I reasoned, there is no night in heaven because Jesus lights the New Jerusalem. That means that in my glorified body, I might be able to play golf 24/7 for the first thousand years or so.

Maybe I’ll even sink a birdie putt or two!

“And the city has no need of sun or moon to shine on it, for the glory of God gives it light, and its lamp is the Lamb.” Revelation 21:23 (ESV)

- Rev. Dale M. Glading, President