“Open doors.”   What comes to mind when you think of ‘open doors?’  I would usually think in terms of opportunity or adventure.  Growing up it could mean hearing “shut that door, do you think you live in a barn?!”  Not all doors are meant to stay open.  Not all doors are meant to open.  Some doors are already open.  Some doors we must open.  Some doors are sealed shut, so one would wonder was it really ever meant to be a door?

One example of an open door is our Pacers.  They will be in the NBA final game on Sunday.  Their path was not easy.  God has gifted the players with their ability but they have worked hard and sacrificed to be in this position.  The door wasn’t opened for them, they opened the door to a possibility of an NBA championship.  For most of us our ‘open doors’ are only realized after the fact, once we grow older and look back to the ‘doors’ we passed through and the ones we closed.  Maybe we look back with some regrets and maybe some gratitude.  But God would have us to look forward to the opportunities and adventures ahead of us, with the realization that the earthly and heavenly are meant to be woven together in a spiritual sense.  The bible reminds us “because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven…the truth of the gospel” (Col.1:5).

Jesus reminds the faithful congregation in Revelation chapter three, “…I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it.”  We want to go through doors Jesus opens for us and use those opportunities for His glory, whatever or wherever that may be!   We must use our time, talent and treasures for His glory.  Even our trials and tribulations can be used for His glory - have you read the book?!  The apostle Paul is a great example for us of this very thing.  While in prison for sharing the gospel he writes a letter of encouragement and prays that “…God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak” (Col.4: 3-4).

God help us during our mountain tops, valleys and in between to be mindful of the ‘big picture’ - people need the Lord!  God help us to view our opportunities, adventures, passions, trials as ‘open doors’ to share the good news of Jesus Christ!

Pastor Rodney

Ecclesiastes 12:9-14