Accumulating approximately 14,392,545 miles on my frequent flyer card will grant me access to the airport’s “Gee, you’re really special” clubs with chairs that are unrelated to stadium bleachers, chilled juice in elegant carafes, and restful restrooms.

But I’m a wee bit shy of 14,392,545 miles. So, walking by “Gee, you’re really special” club I think, “I can’t go in there.” Reminds me of how we sometimes approach our relationship with God. We feel we must accumulate a certain number of points (for being faithful or fruitful, for doing good or avoiding bad) before we can truly draw close to Him.

Exactly how many points would that be? And how might those points be accumulated? Three months of not sinning? Six years coordinating the church nursery (or four days counseling juior high camp in an Arizona August)? A decade of tithing?

Only one card has ever bee issued by God and it came in the form of a cross. The good news is that Jesus stands by the singular door to God’s presence insisting, “I have pre-paid your entrance. Through Me you can draw near to God!” Use the Master’s Card.

“Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus… let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith.” Hebrews 10:19, 22

Jesus, You have made the way for us to draw near to God! Thank You for paying the price for us to enter into Your holy presence. May we daily delight in living close to You.

An excerpt from “Pure Joy”