Knock, knock

Who's there?





Isn't that what you always want to know when someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door? Who is at your door, asking to come in? I'm the type who feels really guilty if I don't open the door for somebody. It doesn't matter if it's the crazy neighbor lady, or the girls selling cookie dough, or the Jehovah's Witness trying to convert me, I always feel guilty for not answering the door. That doesn't mean I answer the door! I only mean, that I will look to see who it is and then if I don't want the interruption, I stand very, very quietly so they won't know that someone is actually home...all the while I'm peeking out at them through the peep hole!



Imagine inviting someone over to your house for dinner. And then as you are preparing the table and getting things ready, the doorbell rings. You are so busy preparing the final parts of the meal, that you ignore the doorbell. The guest rings the doorbell again, yet you continue to rush around getting things ready and fail to open the door. Finally the food is all prepared, the table is set, and you are ready to eat. But where is your guest? The anger starts to churn inside you...I asked him to come, I got everything ready for him, and he never came! I'm not inviting him over anymore, you think to yourself. Sounds ridiculous, doesn't it? The guest was there, he rang the doorbell. But it's the hosts job to answer the door. Inviting someone over is not enough, preparing for their arrival is not enough, we have to actually open the door to enjoy their company.



As obvious as this sounds using the above example, how many times do we do that to God? We ask God to give us directions, or help us to be more patient, or give us peace and comfort. And He gives us opportunities, or wants to teach us or show us things, but we are scurrying around and don't really let Him in. We get scared that we may have to change something in our lives that we are comfortable with, so we ignore Him. And then we get mad, because He never "showed up."



Revelation 3:19-21 says, "Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest, and repent. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne."



According to this Scripture, it is not enough to hear God's voice. We have to open the door. I know it can be frightening and uncomfortable to open the door. I know it can be easier and feel safer behind that door. But we can trust God. He wants to come in and eat with us, but it's our responsibility to open the door.