You’ve heard the illustration of standing in front of several doors, having to choose one without knowing what’s behind each. Similarly, doors you choose for your life become your reality. This can be exciting. Contrastingly, some doors bring great sadness. Nevertheless, you discover new things behind doors. And new experiences can provide hope – if you hold God’s hand while you open and close doors of your life.

Doors of Your Life

To pursue, grow, and discover God’s will – keep knocking on doors. A door is a unique thing. It provides an entry/exit point to what would otherwise only be a wall. A door may close off an area to you, OR it might open to some new place you’ve never been.

Many times, opening doors can be an adventure. However, it can also feel threatening and produce anxiety.

A Positive Look At Doors

“Doors” is a word picture of opportunities. Doors help you –

• Find a forward direction.
• Bring changed practices.
• Strengthen structures of protection.
• Connect and disconnect . . . say hello’s – and good-byes.
• Open or close a place, season, relationship, investment of time, energy, or money.

 

Regardless of their function, doors are intended to be opened – and closed.

Open And Close

Paul had many kinds of doors in his life and ministry. He had to make decisions about going through them. How does God use doors?

Doors that open quickly with reception on the other side are most likely from God. Incidentally, God prepares a path into places you can enter to grow personally and help others. Usually, this is a good door to go through. It could be a friendship, a missions involvement, a ministry opportunity, a career or investment option, critical family decisions, etc.

When a door closes in front of you, it may mean it’s not the direction or timing for entrance – especially if you find it tightly locked. It could also mean you need to knock, and keep knocking, till it opens. When a door opens, generally you should walk through – but not always. This decision requires prayer and careful thought.

So, ask God to help you open and close doors. Talk with Him about every “knock.” Trust His love and ability to guide. Jer. 29:11 assures He knows the good plans He has for you.

Finally, keep knocking on doors.

 

Accept Doors

Paul moved-on many times. Jesus trained His disciples in this way. “If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet.” (Mt. 10:14)

This is a good way to look at a closed door. Plus, it doesn’t communicate personal rejection. Afterall, when a door closes in this way, that “closing” is on the other party.

Sometimes it’s hard to look at a door in front of you – or even behind you. Perhaps that’s because of unknowns that lay ahead. Equally, it may be because of difficult memories from past seasons. Regardless, when you hold God’s hand and stay in prayer –

• As a door closes, accept that closed door. Just like Jesus said – “Shake the dust off your feet.”
• Simultaneously, if a door opens, “shake off anxiety” and rejoice as you walk through into a new opportunity.

 

Some Doors Look Negative

Some doors look negative by their appearance. In fact, they may even feel like a prison. The constrictions and evil on the other side likely means you should close it quickly before entering. Moreso, you shouldn’t even knock on that door. Unless God has prepared a path and urged you forward – step away.

God does not want you to compromise your soul for the sake of ministry or personal gain.

There are times a door opens to circumstances that seem pleasant enough. However, upon entering, you sense things are not right. Something’s not authentic. It feels like a conjured environment, even a place of trickery or deception. Wisdom says to go back to the door and walk out. God may lead you to confront what’s behind that door before you leave. This takes courage.

Whatever the case, God wants you to be courageous, careful, and wise. Never be afraid to walk away from something that doesn’t seem right. In time, you may come to see things you didn’t before.

Difficult Doors Of Your Life

The doors most difficult to walk through are ones you know require sacrifice on the other side. Perhaps God’s words need to be spoken into a situation on the other side of that door, even as you display His kindness and love. Sometimes, God asks a faithful one to speak His words and live in such a place for many years after entering a door.

1. Often, this is to plant seeds for future harvest.
2. Sometimes, it’s to confront evil.

 

Regardless, this takes –

• Endurance.
• Kindness.
• Love.
• Courage.
• Energy.
• Faith.
• Obedience.

 

Paul had doors like these. God led him into places where His messages would be sternly judged. To some hearers, the messages were a wonderful aroma of fresh opportunities. To others they were distasteful. Still, Paul faithfully knocked and entered every door God led him to.

Paul walked through many hard doors. Sometimes, he was the first to enter the new place. Other times, he re-entered and brought another special person(s) to insert and stay there, continuing what he started.

Interestingly, Paul kept knocking on doors to see what God would open for Christ’s sake. He said many “hellos” and “good-byes” in his life, planted many seeds, and prepared places for future opportunities. Often, he shared these opportunities with other individuals or groups.

Perhaps you’ve had difficult doors you’ve had to walk through. This means you must “stay the course” as you speak God’s messages. Plus, you must “stay close to Christ” as you –

1. Plant seeds for future harvest.
2. Confront evil.

 

Unwanted Doors

Sometimes, an unwanted door opens to you – against your wishes. And you have no choice but to walk through it. Some examples –

• A disease takes hold of you or a loved one.
• Death invades.
• An unwanted job becomes available – but it keeps your family afloat.
• A relationship must be maintained for various reasons.

 

God uses unwanted doors to draw you closer to Him. Further, He gives comfort during time behind those doors.

Should You Knock On A Door?

To figure out if you should knock on a door –

First

First – Pray! Intentionally seek God before knocking on a closed door.

1. Ask for His wisdom.
2. Trust Him for clarity and timing.
3. Apply His Word and claim His promises.
4. Be eager to enter, yet willing to wait.
5. Close doors that do not honor Him.

 

Next

Next – Listen! Learn about a door. This means –

1. Lean into God to hear Him. He will speak to your heart. This may involve more research on your part about that door.
2. Commit to partner in His purposes.
3. Be patient to wait for His direction. Don’t jump into a new place until He says “yes.”
4. Receive His strength by faith to go through a difficult door, knowing what lies beyond will require sacrifice and hard work.
5. Exercise courage to walk away if He says “no.”

 

Finally

Finally– Rejoice! Whatever God’s answer is, let your life be a pleasant aroma that represents Jesus. For every door you approach, and God has provided guidance –

1. Be prepared to respond with the character of Christ.
2. Speak His words into your own heart.
3. Let the “aroma of Christ” (2 Cor. 2:15) permeate your attitudes and thoughts.
4. Know with confidence God has a “good plan” for your life. (Jer. 29:11)
5. Stay in this knowledge even when your circumstances involve suffering.

 

SUMMARY: When you approach a door – open or closed – follow these steps – 

1. First – Pray! Seek God’s guidance.
2. Next – Listen! Be willing to learn about that door.
3. Finally– Rejoice! Whatever God answers, be the aroma of Christ.

 

Remember: “Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find. Knock and the door will be opened to you.” (Mt. 7:7-8; Lk 11:9-10)

Application Thoughts And Questions

1. What doors are in front of you?
2. Do you pray before knocking on a door?
3. Are you taking time to listen for God’s answer to your inquiry and learning about the door?
4. Is your inclination to rejoice and respond with the aroma of Christ no matter what God answers?
5. How do you approach “difficult doors” you suspect may have suffering or trials behind that door?
6. Are you patiently waiting for God’s timing and specific direction as you ponder opening or closing doors?
7. If God leads, are you willing to knock on a closed door until He prompts you to discontinue?

 

* Portions of this content come from our book – e-Pistles For An i-Generation: Relevant In A Digital Age – a devotional book that takes you through 1 and 2 Corinthians. You’ll find practical action points that help you know God better and nurture personal growth. You can find this book in our bookstore: www.aliveandactivelife.org/store.

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