Open the Door to Your Heart

By Andrea Merrell

I watched as the woman gripped the back of the pew in front of her. Her eyes slid shut, and she didn’t bother to wipe the tears that dripped from her face.

It was obvious—at least to me—that the pastor’s message was having a tremendous impact on the tender hearts that filled the sanctuary. This woman was no exception. But she stood rooted to her spot, ignoring the impassioned plea for folks to come forward for prayer. My heart broke for her as I wondered what was causing her such pain.

The pastor’s question that morning was, “Is the lock jammed or broken on the door to your heart?” He went on to explain some of the reasons that we either can’t or won’t open the door when the Lord knocks. He talked about personal issues that keep us hiding behind the closed door. He explained how we cower in the dark, afraid to open the door and let the light expose our sin and rebellion. He reminded us how we work hard to keep the door locked with deadbolts of anger, resentment, bitterness, pride, shame, and condemnation. He even suggested that some people have a revolving door on their heart, thinking that Jesus comes and goes at will.

The truth is, Jesus knows what’s waiting behind that door before He ever knocks. He waits patiently for us to throw open the door so He can come in and cleanse our heart. He wants to fill it with every good and perfect gift heaven has to offer. When Jesus comes, He comes to stay, and He tells us He will never leave. That’s a promise we can count on.

 How about you? Have situations and circumstances caused you to lock the door and hide? If so, don’t be afraid. Jesus is waiting patiently outside the door of your heart. Throw the door open and run into His arms. He will dispel your doubts, calm your fears, and restore your joy and peace.

Photos courtesy of FreeDigitalPhotos.net/Tuomas_Lehtinen/lekkyjustdoit.)

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Jesus waits for us to open the door to our heart and run into His arms. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

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The Door is Closed

By Andrea Merrell

And if you leave God's paths and go astray, 

you will hear a voice

behind you say, 

"No, this is the way; walk here.”

Isaiah 30:21 TLB

I was so excited. We had been such good friends years before and now we finally had a chance to reconnect. This was going to be the rekindling of one of the best, most meaningful relationships I had ever had—the BFF kind of friendship. There would be so much to talk about … so much catching up to do.

Or not.

After our initial greeting, the conversation was stilted and the awkwardness almost unbearable. It seemed we had gone our separate ways—physically, emotionally, and mentally. We no longer had a connection and our reunion fell flat.

I was devastated until I realized the woman had been put in my life for a certain season and a single purpose. When the season came to an end, God closed the door and we both moved on. Now, years later, here I was … trying to re-open the door with a crowbar.

Sound familiar?

Sometimes it’s hard to let go, and we can easily lose our way, but all seasons come to an end, according to God's plan. We can spend all our time staring at the locked door, trying to break it down, or peering through the keyhole. But God’s plan is for us to move on and look for the doors that are wide open with a welcome mat that says, This is the way, walk here.

That’s where the blessings are, and they're always better than before.

(Photos courtesy of morguefile.com.)

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Has God closed a door? Time to move on and look for one that's open. via @AndreaMerrell (Click to Tweet.)

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