Opening Doors

“Samuel lay down until morning and then opened the doors of the house of the LORD.” (1 Samuel 3:15 NIV)

I like opening doors for other people. I think it’s a privilege. When I am with my husband or son, I usually let them do this task, but when I am with anyone else, I am eager to step up. It’s such a small gesture, requiring no physical strength or special skill. You just have to get to the door a few steps ahead of those around you.

There is such symbolism in opening doors. I have the privilege of opening up the doors to our detached studio where our Bible Study group meets. I get there before everyone else. There are two doors to open; both have locks that require codes that only I know. I would gladly share the codes, but no one has asked me for them. After I unlock the doors, I leave them partially open for the rest of our group. I turn on all the overhead lights, light a candle, and pray until everyone arrives. I find this ritual deeply satisfying.

During Bible study, I have the opportunity to open more doors. I get to share insights that God has revealed to me. All that is required of me is a little extra time, patience, and contemplation. God gives me the code to unlock the doors to His Word. I get there a few minutes ahead of others and turn on the lights. I take this responsibility seriously. It is a privilege to get a sneak peak at God’s treasures and then share them with others. I am deeply honored to be a doorman and tour guide at the Lord’s mansion.  

“I'm asking God for one thing, only one thing: To live with him in his house my whole life long. I'll contemplate his beauty; I'll study at his feet.” (Psalm 27:4 MSG)

Shared Pain

“This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do.” (Hebrews 4:15 NIV)

The last part of a marathon can be brutal. One would think that each runner would just look out for himself and try to get to the finish as quickly as possible.  However, I have noticed most runners are selfless and generous to each other in the midst of this period of suffering. Why? Pain makes us pay attention and be empathetic to others in similar circumstances. This creates bonds of solidarity and loyalty.

Jesus is always near--during good times and bad. However, comfort lulls us into complacency while adversity gives us a heightened sense of awareness. Jesus has gone through the human experience. He was humiliated, tortured, and crucified. When we are in agony, He suffers alongside us. As we share in His pain and He in ours, we become one with Jesus. We sense His empathy and love. This forges deeper bonds of commitment and understanding.

Fear of Punishment

“Perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment.” (1 John 4:18 NIV)

I believe in a God who loves us unconditionally. I can’t imagine Him as a harsh, punishing figure.  Yet, I am fearful. How can this be? If fear has to do with punishment, and perfect love drives out fear--how can I be so full of fear?

I decided I needed to unpack this incongruency in my thinking. Why am I afraid? Do I think that Jesus, who loves me enough to sacrifice Himself for me, would not take care of me?  Well, I notice that Christ was not opposed to pain and suffering. Unfortunately, I am. I believe that God is capable of solving my problems, but I wonder if He will allow me to be tested like Job in the Old Testament.  Most of the disciples of Jesus also suffered greatly; so did many of the saints who came after. I want to follow Jesus, but I don’t want to go through pain. I want to imitate a God who gave of himself completely; yet, I’m not willing to let go of safety and comfort.

When I look at life through a worldly perspective, my distaste for suffering seems quite normal. Thus, I have a hard time recognizing the hypocrisy in this viewpoint. The spirit of deception, which is what the world offers, enslaves me in anxiety--in fear of failure, loss, pain, shame, and abandonment. The Spirit of Truth, who lives in me, whispers: Do not be afraid. I am with you...especially in the suffering. Draw close to Me. Get to know me. Trust me. You will have many tribulations in this world, but you shall overcome them all by relying on Me.

“The Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” (1 John 4:4 NLT)

Lean In and Listen

“Speak, LORD, for your servant is listening.” (1 Samuel 3:9 NIV)

I like to observe people’s nonverbal interactions, especially at restaurants. When I see couples or friends that lean in and maintain eye contact during conversation, I know they are interested in what the other person is saying. On the other hand, when I see groups where some are looking around, checking their phones, drumming their fingers to the background music, fidgeting with their food, then I figure they are only partially checked-in to the conversation, and they are distracted.

I have trouble listening when there is any sort of distraction. Visual, auditory, kinesthetic, or emotional noise can break my focus. Here are a few examples. If I am driving, walking, or eating while someone is talking, it takes me longer to process what they are saying, because my mind is partially occupied by what I am doing. If something catches my eye while I’m trying to listen, my attention gets easily diverted. If there is any background music, sound, or conversation--my brain gets pulled in multiple directions. If I am feeling unwell or emotional, my mind pulls all the shutters down to take care of itself. Thus, I try to be conscious of external stimuli. I put on earplugs to block out noise, including music, TV, chatter, etc. I also lean in and maintain eye contact when I’m listening to someone talking.

I use similar techniques with spiritual stimuli. When I am bombarded with feelings of fear, doubt, and despair, I recognize them as lies from the Enemy. These thoughts are meant to distract, so I block them with the shield of trust. I reach for the Word of God. My soul whispers: speak, Lord.  I fix my eyes on God. I lean in. I listen.

Landing Place

“But the dove could find no place to land because the water still covered the ground.” (Genesis 8:9 NLT)

There are many references to doves in the Bible. Noah sent out a dove to see if the flood waters had receded. However, the bird could not find a suitable resting place, so it returned to the ark. The Gospels describe the Holy Spirit descending like a dove and resting upon Jesus.

The Spirit of God hovers over us, looking for a space to land. If our minds are flooded with fear, anger, frustration, anxiety, disappointment, and despair--it becomes difficult for the Holy Spirit to find a resting place in the midst of all this turmoil. Thus, we cannot allow ourselves to get so worked up that our emotions take over. Once we calm our minds and clear space for God, His Spirit descends upon us.  Our restless souls become tranquil. When we allow the Holy Spirit to take over, we experience a peace that is independent of our circumstances and surpasses our logical understanding.

Internal Dialogue

“Inside the Tent of Meeting, the LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. ” (Exodus 33:11 NLT)

Moses made space for God, and the Lord showed up! They met together regularly in a tent. Here Moses  talked to God face to face, just like he would speak to a close friend. Moses shared every thought openly and listened as God spoke to him directly. Their relationship was intimate, honest, and consistent.

Most of us have an internal dialogue going on at all times. Our mind has conversations going on with itself. This merely creates a whirlwind of thoughts that go nowhere. What if we made space in the center for God and  channeled this internal dialogue to God? What if we talked everything over with the Lord, face to face? His thoughts would be our thoughts; His ways would be our ways; His joy would be our joy. This would lead us to having continual fellowship with the Lord--allowing us to pray, to communicate with Him, constantly.

“When you're joined with me and I with you, the relation intimate and organic, the harvest is sure to be abundant. Separated, you can't produce a thing.” (John 15:5 MSG)

Shrinking Worries

“Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.” (Psalm 147:5 NIV)

I’ve developed a new habit. I shrink my worries. I look at my concerns and tell myself: it could be worse.  When I look around at others, I notice how much smaller my problems seem compared to theirs. This is how I soothe myself when I feel stressed out. At first, this coping method seems like a good idea, but it is flawed. It’s no better to compare my problems to those of others than it is to measure my success against that of others. I’m still focusing on the wrong things.

“I will praise the name of God with a song; I will magnify him with thanksgiving.” (Psalm 69:30 ESV)

I need to shift my focus. God is bigger than any problem. He is mighty in power and limitless in wisdom. If I pay attention, I will recognize Him working, right now. When I thank Him for all that He does, I acknowledge His power. Instead of minimizing my issues, I shall magnify the Lord. I shall look at Him closely and allow Him to occupy a larger space in my field of vision. I will praise God. Greater is He than anything I face in this world.

“My soul doth magnify the Lord.” (Luke 1:46 KJV)