God Speaking

“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.”

(Revelation 3: 20)

Many years ago, I volunteered with a Christian group in an outreach to single mothers and their children. We began in one woman’s home, but as we increased in numbers, we were offered a place in a church. We were allowed to use their kitchen, a large common room and even a daycare room. Our group gathered in prayer together before we moved and felt we should name what was becoming an organization. That was the start of “The Open Door”. We felt an urge to open doors for these women struggling with looking after their children often with low incomes, some having left abusive relationships, many very lonely, and as we opened doors of hope, fellowship, and love, we wanted them to eventually to hear the loving voice of their Savior and open the door to him. 

The gospels remind us that when we open the door to the Savior, we have his complete attention. 

“Ask and it will be given to you, seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds and to him who knocks, the door will be opened,” (Matthew 7: 7 – 8)

As we got to know the women, we discovered they didn’t realize that this beautiful invitation was even there, let alone for them. We had to lead them to the door so they could open it for themselves. 

We who are believers don’t need to belong to an organization to open doors for others, we can begin by our actions, our concern for others, willing to make friends with those who are lonely, to step out of our comfort zone to mix with different cultures, all the time remembering who we represent. One of my favorite verses which I try to keep in mind, is found in Paul’s letter to the Corinthians. 

“You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone, but on tablets of human hearts.” (2 Corinthians 3: 3)

We ourselves must be open hearted people, who are open to questions about who we serve, we know that some people seem to be unapproachable. It is hard to always be ready to spread the good news. One of our young pastors shared a personal story that I thought was very brave of him. He was on holidays and going skiing and was in cable car with several others going up the mountain and a man he didn’t know, asked him where he worked. He had to say he worked in a church, the man was very interested and wanted to know what he did there. He found suddenly the whole cable car was listening. He was honest enough to admit to us he wasn’t ready, but with a quick silent prayer he remembered he was a letter from Christ and was open to sharing the good news. 

One of my favorite choruses

Open the eyes of my heart, I want to see you.