Behold! Or Not - The One Year Devotional of Joy and Laughter
Behold! or Not
Look! I stand at the door and knock.
Revelation 3:20
It was a chilly winter day in Chicago. Snow had fallen during the night, and the streets were still a bit icy. However, the new minister at a community church felt compelled to make a few house calls to members who had not been in church services for a few weeks. So he trekked across town carefully, going from house to house.
When he arrived at the third home on his list, he rang the doorbell and waited, but no one came to the door. He could tell that someone was at home, so he kept ringing the bell. Still, no one answered.
As a final departing act, the minister wrote, “Revelation 3:20: ‘Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends’” on the back of one of his calling cards and stuck it under the door.
The minister left the house, puzzled as to why the member did not answer the door. He had no recollection of having done anything to upset her. Unsure of what else to do, he returned to his office at the church building, intending to speak to the member about it the next time he saw her.
Two days later, the minister received his calling card back in an envelope with a short note attached that read, “Genesis 3:10: ‘I heard you walking in the garden, so I hid. I was afraid because I was naked.’”
Father, I often hear you knocking and wanting to come in and be with me. Please help me to remember that I can never hide from you, no matter what my sin. And please help me always to be ready to welcome you into my heart and life. Amen.
