As my day began, I picked up my morning coffee and prepared to start a full day at the church. But first, I stopped by the post office, having received an update the night before that a package was waiting to be picked up. As I entered the post office, I noticed a man walking through the parking lot and towards the building. He carried a large box wrapped tightly with packaging tape with a mailing label on the side. The box filled his arms, and the only features you could see on the front of his face were his nose and eyes. It was a big package.
Well, of course, when I saw him coming, I said, “Man, let me open this door for you!” He called out, “Appreciate that! I hope you have a great day!” Now, I started thinking about that. Because I had just started my day in a positive way. And it was as simple as opening a door.
Our church is located in the city’s downtown area, and there is a traffic roundabout right next to our campus. And on the corner, there is a sign that says, “Everyone Is Welcome.” And we mean that. God’s church is for everyone. But what if we replaced that sign with one that said, “Most people are welcome” or “Only certain people are welcome.” It wouldn’t speak well of our church. And whether we realize it or not, the same is true for each of us.
If the sign on our hearts says, “I’m going to love everyone as Jesus loves,” then that shows we are moving forward with our faith. But what if we choose to love only those who think like us, look like us, vote like us, “whatever” like us. The fact is every door is a decision. When the Bible speaks about approaching a door, the door represents those choices we make every day. I believe there are some “open door choices” that must be a priority. But again, remember, these are choices only you can make. These are doors only you can open.
Let me share a couple of those doors. First of all, let’s open the door of hope.
It doesn’t take much effort to look around and see that we live in a world where on full display are war and poverty and political strife and racism and injustice, pain and hurt. And many people today are living with pessimism and negativity and emptiness. Did you know that the most hopeless people on this planet are the ones who feel far away from God? Because it’s so easy to drift away from God. It’s easy to drift away from your goals, dreams, and people. And it’s easy to drift if not firmly anchored.
Those of us who are Christ-followers, what can we do? How can we bring the hope of God to those who need to hear it? Well, it starts with something as simple as opening a door.
We have this hope, a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul. It’s an unbreakable spiritual lifeline” – Hebrews 6:19.
The most hopeful people on earth are those who are closest to God. And to share the hope of Christ, there is another door you must choose to open. And that is the door of love. What more excellent way to share God’s hope than by sharing God’s love? The bottom line is that there’s no prerequisite for love. Jesus said we are to love all people.
Even those we disagree with. Yes. Does this mean we must agree with someone else’s behavior or beliefs? Of course not. But Jesus reminds us that, “You must love God and you must love people. Because all the other commandments are based on these two things” (Matthew 22:37-40). Jesus never said, “You must love only the people you agree with.” No. But let’s face it, that’s an easy temptation, isn’t it?
1 Corinthians 13:3-7, in the Message translation, which I like, speaks of love.
“If I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. No matter what I say, believe, or do, I am bankrupt without love.
Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut. Doesn’t have a swelled head, doesn’t force itself on others. Isn’t always “Me first.” Doesn’t fly off the handle, doesn’t keep score of the sins of others.
Love takes pleasure in the truth. Puts up with anything. Trusts God always. Always looks for the best. Never looks back. Keeps going to the end.
Love never gives up.”
I saw a video this week that had two dogs, one on either side of a glass door. Now with that glass door closed, these two dogs were going at it, full force. Loud barking and growling, and teeth were flashing. But the door wasn’t locked. And suddenly, one of the dogs pushed the door open. And now they found themselves in the same room. As if someone had flipped a light switch, the barking, growling, and flashing teeth … stopped.
A closed door is an obstacle. The truth is the encouraging words you use and the positive things you do have the power to make an incredible difference for good. I hope that’s what you want for your life. I certainly want that for mine.
It’s as simple as opening a door. And in doing so, may you overflow with hope and love!