October 21, 2013

Closing the Door on God "Opening and Closing Doors"

Do you know the saying of how God opens and closes doors?

Yeah, that one that all good Christians say. 

I say it.

It's embedded in our prayers and in our Christian language. 

This weekend I decided that God had closed a door.

A few days later I can tell it was a turning point in my life. (Well...as much as one can determine a turning point in their lives in that short amount of time.)

But I realized something. I hate that saying!

Is it even in the Bible?

There are references in the Bible of God opening and closing doors, but not in regard to opportunities like we use them.

There is an intimate image of Jesus knocking at the door. A door that we decide if we open or keep shut. However, no where does it mean, "When God closes one door, he opens another."

I know why I hate this saying. 

It has to do with my perception of God's relative location as he is "opening and closing doors".

Where do you envision God opening and closing doors from?

I picture God sitting behind a security officer's control desk complete with televisions and buttons.

He is pushing buttons (sure God could command the doors, but pushing buttons is way more fun) as I run through a maze of hallways trying to find my way. It's exhausting. He is no where in the room with me. In my mind, he isn't worried about anything but a master plan. He's just there to open and close doors to complete his plan.

However, Jesus is the one who stands at the door and knocks.

He isn't concerned with opening and closing door. He is all about you opening a door. He didn't push a button to let you walk out or to invade your space. He knocked so that you would let him in for a relationship.

That relationship doesn't include a control center with God at a distance, but rather an intimate walk. Our opportunities don't rest in God opening and closing doors, it's more of a narrow road or a path. (Even though I understand the saying and will probably use it again tomorrow in a post.)

Christians walk a path with a guide, not a huge maze of a hallway with multiple doors that are swinging open and closing shut.

What do you think?

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