From the youngest to the oldest among us, life is undeniably full of doors. Particularly in this season full of transitions, marked by endings and fresh beginnings, doors are often closing and new ones opening.
There are open doors of opportunity and change, doors that bring new starts, and doors that leave us unsure of what lies ahead. Today, I’d like us to reflect on God’s perspective toward the doors in our lives.
Whether you’re a youngster transitioning to a new school or a young adult contemplating a career change, we all stand before a door that requires prayerful consideration.
Let’s take a moment to anticipate open doors this summer, and let me declare over this season: new ventures, difficult tasks becoming effortless, and those right time, right place, right person moments. Fresh starts and clean slates await us. Let’s believe in them and expect them.
The Bible tells us in Hebrews 11:1, “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” We need to adopt an open door disposition. Too often, closed doors leave us discouraged, but we should look forward to our own open doors instead of allowing envy of others to obscure our vision of what God has in store for us.
So, can I encourage you; apply for that new job, share your testimony, believe there will be healing as you pray, invite a friend to dinner, or start that side business. Knock knock, God is there!
As we knock, how we enter through these open doors matters, too. Psalm 100:4 (MSG) encourages us to “enter with the password thank you.” David in Psalm 103:1-2 speaks to his soul, saying, “Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name. Praise the Lord my soul and forget not all his benefits.”
As followers of Jesus, we have to remember to give thanks as we walk through those open doors. James reminds us that every good and perfect gift comes from God. So, let’s anticipate open doors while maintaining an attitude of gratitude.
As we anticipate open doors, we also know that we will inevitably encounter closed doors in our lives also.
Closed doors can signal end-of-chapter moments, changes in seasons, or unfulfilled hopes. They can be the result of loss or disappointment. However, we have to understand that God is just as present in closed doors as He is in open ones. Though we may not understand immediately, especially amidst pain, God has a way of turning closed doors into salvations, preparations, and protection.
Whether you didn’t get into the university you wanted, a job fell through, or a relationship ended, remember that God is with you. Psalm 55:9 tells us, “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways.”
Letting go of what we had hoped for can be tough. But sometimes, God closes doors for our good, and it’s important to allow those doors to close. Stop forcing a door to stay open if God is closing it. Trust that He knows best and has a better plan for you.
Remember the account of Abraham and Isaac? Despite the seemingly closed door and confusing directions, Abraham and Isaac trusted God, and He provided. Are we willing to trust God’s way?
Jesus assured us in Luke 11:9-10, “So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”
The work knock is crucial. It doesn’t say push or force; it says knock, then wait for God to open the door. As we trust in His timing and His plan, we encounter the best of what He has in store for us!
But even when it comes to sharing about Jesus, we have to remember, it’s not our job to convert, but it is our job to knock. Share your stories, offer your prayers, and boldly speak the Gospel.
Sometimes, knocking comes in the form of worship, as with Paul and Silas who sang praises in prison, and God opened their doors himself. Sometimes it’s in our generosity as our giving points people to him.
Across this summer let’s pray for new opportunities, transitions, and wisdom.
Whatever we do this summer, whether doors are closing and we need peace today, or you are walking through new doors and need courage, remember one thing. Knock knock, he’s there!