Through The Open Door

A great and effective door has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.

1 Corinthians 16:9

Comedy films in the early days of moviemaking relied often on the “secret door” gag. In a castle or mysterious mansion, characters moved about a room pushing on wall panels and bookcases, pushing and pulling wall ornaments and knobs, and peering behind picture frames, all in a search for the secret door they were sure existed—a door that would lead them to great treasure or escape.

Too many Christians use the secret-door approach to finding God’s next opportunity for ministry or blessing. In fact, God’s doors always seem to open or close when we are least looking for them. That is, God may open doors while we are focused on faithful ministry for Him. When Paul and his companions were in Asia Minor, they planned to go to Bithynia, but God closed the door. Within a matter of hours the reason was clear: a door opened for ministry in Macedonia. And “immediately” they left, “concluding that the Lord had called [them]” (Acts 16:10). Our focus should not be on searching for the open door as much as being ready to go through it when God opens it.

Make your prayer today, “Lord, prepare my eyes to see Your open doors and my heart to go through them without delay.”

If you can’t pray a door open, don’t pry it open.

LYELL RADER