If I had a nickel for every time I heard someone say, “when God closes a door look for a window,” I would be rich. The problem with such thinking is this: entering through a window is considered burglary. So I say that when God closes a door, wait for him to open another one. And when he does, walk through it.
My wife and I are preparing to do just that. God has opened the door for us to begin conducting Sunday morning services in our 55+ community here in Central Florida. We are excited to do so for many reasons, not the least of which is the fact that we did not go looking for this opportunity. The Lord brought it to us completely unexpectedly.
Minding Our Own Business in Serving
For the last couple of years we have been minding our own business and serving in a Calvary Chapel about a half hour north of where we currently live. We landed there after searching for eight years for a solid church home.
We’ve appreciated all the opportunities to plug in and get involved. We are thankful that the Lord has seen fit to use us where we were. And truly, we were planning to be there for a long time. But God had other plans. He began making those plans abundantly clear earlier this year.
I won’t get into all the details of how starting this new ministry transpired. I will say this: there is no question that God is in it. He has opened every door; he has orchestrated every detail; he has provided all the finances, thus far. There is no doubt in my mind he will continue to do what he always does for as long as he wants us to minister here.
Not Always What We Are Expecting
One of the motivations for writing this post was to encourage you to look for God and everything. What he does is not always what we’re expecting. In fact, God often does what we don’t expect at all. That’s his nature. It’s also his prerogative.
I say “look for him” for the simple fact that you can’t follow someone you’re not looking at. Look for him in the Bible when you study. Look for him at church when you’re worshiping and praying. Look for him in your daily circumstances. And with all you’re looking, look for open doors to walk through.
Leading by His Eye
Brand-new Christians who are not familiar with God’s ways have to be led very directly. God has to speak very clearly through Bible studies, testimonies, and other means that are plain and visible. But as a Christian matures, God begins to back off. His communications are a lot more subtle. Consider what Scripture says in Psalm 32:
“I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you shall go: I will guide you with my eye.” ~ Ps 32:8
God doesn’t want to be leading us around for our entire lives like little children unable to make a decision without writing in the sky. He wants us to grow up, live our lives, and follow him by faith. He wants to lead us with just the movement his eye. We have to be paying attention to see it.
Your Doors Are Your Doors
Look for the doors God might be opening and closing in your life. Just understand that your doors are your doors, they aren’t someone else’s. There’s no need to compare your life against any other Christian. Your only comparison is with Jesus. Are you more like him today than you were yesterday?
God opened and closed doors for Jesus, too. He did so for the apostle Paul. In fact, throughout all of Scripture there are examples of God opening doors here enclosing them over there. Our job is to watch and pay attention.
When God closes a door, don’t look for a window. Breaking and entering isn’t on his list of things to do. Instead, continue to serve him where you are until a new door opens. And when it does, walk through it. Otherwise, you’ll miss out on what God wants to do with you.