3 Thoughts About Doors

And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. - Colossians 4:3

1.  God is able to open doors for us in any situation.

The courage in this scripture verse is not so much the content as it is the circumstance under which it was written.  We expect the great Apostle, Paul, to be focused on proclaiming the mystery of Christ. But to remain steadfast in that desire while in prison is to take courage to a whole new level.

I often hear people say that their proclamation of faith will begin when better times arrive - once they get past their current situation.  But the current situation becomes replaced with another - and another - and so on.  If we cannot believe God for open doors in our present circumstance than we will not in the future.  Our spiritual practices and patterns tend to move along with us.

Having an orientation towards open doors is a matter of the heart not circumstance. It flows from a God-centered perspective that beats consistently within us.  It is often counter intuitive to human desire but never misleading.  I wonder if Paul was tempted to write instead, "And pray for me, that God might get me out of here so I can be free."  While there would have been nothing wrong with that prayer, it might have misled Paul to a path of self-pity.  But, instead, by praying for open doors, Paul chooses the higher way of God's plan over his comfort.

2.  Better that God open the door than us kick it in!

Do you know any spiritual "door kickers?"  They tend to be loud and obnoxious, thinking that it's somehow good to pound and kick a door open even if God has closed it.  They harmfully assume it's noble and justified to force their beliefs on others despite a lack of interest or receptivity.  Abrasive, non-sensitive proclamations of faith are in direct conflict with Paul's instruction here.  Implied within his prayer for open doors is the realization that not all doors are open.  And that we would do well to trust God to open certain doors, responding readily to those opportunities.  Kicking a door open that God has currently shut is like telling God that He is wrong, and we know best.

3.  Neglected open doors are as wrong as kicked in doors.

It is clear that Paul does not want us staring motionlessly at open doors because there are God-intended purposes in them. Namely, that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ. Some of us would never be guilty of kicking in a door.  But doing nothing when a door is wide open in front of us might come easily.  Before we use all our energy ridiculing obnoxious Christians, let's look in the mirror and address lackluster efforts. After all, God despises the lukewarm (Revelation 3:16).

Neglected open doors are as wrong as kicked in doors because both lack trust in God. The latter does so by attempting to mandate the timing of God.  The former does so by sitting idly as the timing of God passes by.  Either case causes us to be misaligned with God's purposes.

Which one of the three applies to you?

Ex nihilo,


RJ Rhoden