Desires, Decisions, and Doors

Doors are such commonplace that we rarely think about their presence or function. Doors demarcate space. They prevent or permit movement. And they represent figuratively our journey through life. Open doors or closed doors. 

I often find myself at the threshold of doors. This could be taken literally or figuratively but for now, let's go with literal. I love to open doors! I love opening the car door for my wife. I love opening the door to our home. I love opening the door to our church. And I really love opening the door for the kiddos that attend our preschool. Every Friday, Dr. Jackson and I stand by the WeeOne's door to greet these mostly smiling faces. It's one of the best parts of the week! 

I learn a lot as I observe these children, and I am reminded that in the eyes of God, I'm not that different from a 2-year-old stumbling into preschool. I trip up a lot. I get distracted. I'm still prone to a good pout. Patience is not my strength. Sometimes I wear weird shoes. And I love it when fruit snacks are in my lunchbox. There are lots of similarities as you can see. 

The door that separates the WeeOne's entrance and the outside world is a big glass door. The kids usually arrive several steps ahead of the parents so it's a good place to rendezvous. There's nothing unusual about the door besides a logo on the upper half. The lower half is clear glass. The children, with their vertical limitation, are in a better position to see through to the other side. 

Two different challenges are present. Those below can see more clearly but lack the ability to open the door. Those above have an impaired view but are better equipped to get to the other side. The door poses a different challenge and opportunity depending on one's view of the door. 

A door's function to preclude or promote movement can be beneficial or detrimental depending on the circumstances. There are times we can see beyond the door, and we want what is on the other side. When the door stays closed it can be frustrating. There are other times when we can't see all that is lurking on the other side, but we cross the threshold anyway. Desire is a God-given emotion; it is our response to desire that either leads us closer to God or away. Metaphorical doors represent real thresholds that check our desires. I'm learning through experience the best posture is to trust God on which doors open and close. 

Some doors I should have walked through but my lack of vision led to decision paralysis. I allowed the uncertainty and fear to prevent me from moving forward. Beyond other doors, I could see more clearly but didn't have the power to open it. I thank God He didn't give me what I wanted but rather what I needed. 

We use the analogy of open and closed doors because it illustrates the journey of life well. Desires lead to decisions and those decisions can be met with open and closed doors. It can be painful when a door closes but so can walking through the wrong door. The grace of God allows for a course correct but consequences still follow. When the line of demarcation has been crossed our decisions can't be refunded. Redeemed yes; refunded no.

Life is a series of open and closed doors. I thank God He has a way of giving us what we need even if it’s not what we want.