Locked Out?

Matthew 7:7-8 – 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. (NIV)

On Mondays, I work late, so I go in later. I start to prepare myself by anticipating what likely maelstrom may have occurred in my absence.

I prepare my tea, make my sandwiches, and check my bag for my mug. Like a member of an aeroplane's cabin crew before take-off, I ask myself various questions and affirm that all is well with a mental check.

I change my attire from the normal casual jeans to a work dress code. "Okay so far," I say to myself as I look in the mirror: "Hair washed — check." "Tie on and adjusted — check." "Shirt buttoned and not too creased — check." "Face — passable, if badly wrinkled — check." On and on it goes.

Part of the pre-work routine is to check for my identity card, which, over the weekend, usually resides in the back pocket of my trousers. One recent Monday, I put my hand in the pocket and there it was: gone! All that was there was fresh air. "A good job I checked for it," I said to myself, as I grovelled about on the floor near to where my trousers were: "Found it!"

Without my magnetic swipe card, I am unable to access the back entrance where I normally go into my computer room. It means a walk around to another entrance, and long walks for rest breaks.

As I reflected on this event, I realised that we always have an open door into the Kingdom — here, now, today. Jesus is ever-present by the Holy Spirit, who resides within each Christian. Once we have asked Him in, it is He who activates the open door. We who forgive our fellow travellers and seek His face need never fear a closed door to the Father. It is that simple.

Revelation 3:8 – I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (NIV)

Prayer: Lord, we rejoice that You died to set us free and rose again to show us the way You have provided to eternal life. Our Lord, come, show us the "open doors" You have for us today, whatever they may be, and grant us the courage to walk with You through them. We give You thanks and praise because, as we walk with You, we will not be refused access. Amen.

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