Years ago, my father would take the four of us to Disneyland and around noon time we would find ourselves standing in the New Orleans sector at a private door with a gold -plated small emblem, emblazoned with “The 33 Club” Crest. The marker was nearly hidden completely. The New Orleans street was bustling with noise and activity. The door would open and stepping over the threshold, there was an instant premonition that silence was compulsory! I had forgotten all about this until our pastor mentioned this exclusive club in his sermon on Sunday morning. In those early days I had no idea that this was a personal and private restaurant for Walt Disney and his friends.
Welcome to The 33 Club…
My initial recollection is that my mother was exceedingly over-joyed for the opportunity to teach the four of us…all girls… how to manage 5 forks, 3 spoons and multiple plates of varying sizes, two or more goblets and numerous knives…slight exaggeration! We always had a sense that we were, in that moment, very special. Looking back, Dad was very brave to have included us in these adventures!
Once the kind, princely dressed man allowed us entrance, we were escorted into a secluded elevator…unlike any I had ever seen. It was dazzling…and lifted us a flight above the park and its noise and activity. When the elevator door opened, we were ushered into a plush foyer with crystal chandeliers, massive floral arrangements and velvet curtains stretching two stories into the air! The private dining room was elegant with white table-cloths, sparkling silver everywhere, more fresh flowers on each table and soft music wafting in the air. The fireplace was glowing and the silence was deafening! The whole place screamed slow down, relax and just revel in the exclusivity!
Men in tuxedos were careful to greet us and pull out beautifully upholstered, over-sized chairs to see us comfortably seated and by then, thoroughly delighted! In an instant they had placed our napkin on our lap and with a smile had handed us the menu. Upon first glance, we could see that a hot dog and fries had been omitted, but they would “love to accommodate each guest and would surely bring us a hot dog, if we so desired”! Seriously, my mother had to be in paradise! Four excited girls, that couldn’t wait to get back on the rides…and here we were…experiencing a reprieve, to let Dad and Mother rest a minute.
At the University of Arizona, I became a member of another elite “club” of girls called Kappa Alpha Thetas. I loved this club and its accountability and camaraderie. But the best was yet to come when I was nineteen, I became a member of an even more select and exclusive club than any of these. “It’s a 2,000-year-old club and God calls it His body…the church”. (Pastor Mike) As impressed as I was with Club 33, it pales in comparison to what is mine and what is waiting for me one day. His body is comprised of us…those of us who follow Him.
Fellowship and service are the reward of being a part of this club. God’s peace and leadership bind us here and give us a taste of what is to come. His love compels us to reach for those who are not yet members of this exclusive society and His love draws us closer to the cross and the repentance that unlocks the door to this eternal fellowship.
If you have not, would you consider
the need to be a member of this
private and privileged club?
If you have joined, would you consider
reaching out for those who have not yet heard
and compelling them to join?
~Jackie Johnson - I am a former tribal missionary to the Kuna Indians on the Colombian border in Central America. Fluent in several languages, my husband and I currently pastor a Spanish-speaking church in Southern California. My passion is mentoring and equipping dedicated young women for life, marriage, motherhood, and beyond. I am the mother of two daughters and the grandmother of three Princesses and four young Knights.
