Keeping the Door Openfeatured

A familiar verse, Revelation 3:20, has been lodged in my thoughts for a few days: “Now pay attention; I am standing at the door and knocking. If any of you hear My voice and open the door, then I will come in to visit with you and to share a meal at your table, and you will be with Me” (Voice). What a wonderful invitation! If we pay attention and choose to open the door to our hearts, Jesus promises to share a meal with us. He wants us to live in continuous fellowship with him.  Opening the door and keeping it open enables Jesus to provide the spiritual nourishment and companionship that our souls need to thrive.

Psalm105:4 (NASB) tells us to “seek the Lord and His strength; Seek His face continually.” Often, I like to open that door in the morning, grab a quick spiritual snack and then get on with my day, letting the door close behind me. I reject Christ’s offer of a well-rounded, nourishing meal and delightful companionship. Jesus knows that I need a feast not a snack!

I fall for Satan’s lies that I don’t need much sustenance and that I can handle the day under my own power.  After all, I have a to-do list a yard long and the clock is ticking! It is not surprising that I begin to experience impatience, frustration, and anxiety when the day does not go according to my plan. I am undernourished!

Accepting Jesus’s invitation requires more of us than cracking open the door in the morning to grab the equivalent of a doughnut. He waits for us to open the door and accept his invitation. The meal he offers is rich and satisfying, available to us because of his love, grace and mercy. Our Savior desires to be our constant companion. He would love for us to leave the door open as we go about our day.

Our spiritual nutrition comes from the Word of God. We need to read, study, and ponder. I am a fast reader, but speed reading the Bible doesn’t provide the nutrition I need. I have even been known to skip familiar verses, thinking I don’t need to read them again. Hebrews 4:12 tells us that “the word of God is living and active, and sharper than any two-edged sword… able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” Often a familiar verse will reveal a timely fresh message or new insight. Jesus knows what nutritious morsels we need and is faithful to provide – if we keep the door open.

I find keeping the door open all day extremely challenging. I am quickly distracted by, well, almost anything.  How easily my focus shifts from my Lord to me. In 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18 the apostle Paul shares the formula to keeping the door open: “Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” As we put this truth into practice Jesus gently takes our hand and changes our “me” focus to “we.” Walking with him through both the good and bad of our days keeps the door open.

God’s Word promises wonderful outcomes when we choose to open the door and keep it open:

• “Whether you turn to the right or to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, saying, ‘This is the way; walk in it’” (Isaiah 30:21).
• “You have made known to me the paths of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence” (Acts 2:28).
• “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace” (John 16:33).

I am not yet accomplished at keeping the door open, but despite my inconsistencies Jesus is ever so slowly changing my attitude from “my will be done” to “thy will be done.”  I am hoping this painting will remind me of the feast that awaits if I choose to keep the door open.  I need a reminder every day. Maybe you do too!