The Door

I had a dentist appointment one day this week at 7:30 a.m. It’s true. It seems early but such is the pace of downtown Nashville, TN. I arrived around 7:26 a.m. and had my pick of parking spots in the parking garage. In fact…I was the only car parked in the garage. That’s strange I thought. Well…maybe the staff parks somewhere else. I made my way to the elevator that takes me to the second floor only to step off and into a barely lit hallway. As I turned the corner to enter into the dentist office I was baffled to see that the lights were not on and the door was locked. I don’t understand. Don’t they know I am coming? I mean…after all we talked just the other day. I peeked through the window and realized no one was mulling around on the other side of the glass. I sat down in the one lonely chair outside of the dentist office in the hallway. This was not like them at all. In the past they had always anticipated my arrival and welcomed me instantly. I had spoken with three different people from the office last week who called to confirm my appointment. Did I have the date wrong? The time?

As I sat and waited wondering if anyone would show up the thought of Heaven crossed my mind. What if I got to Heaven and just like my dentist office the lights were out? What if I assumed the lights would be on and that Jesus would be there to welcome me? A few minutes passed and the precious people who work at my dentist office welcomed me with open arms and apologies. Traffic had been cruel thus resulting in their late arrival. However…for those of us in Christ…there will be no delay. Our God is faithful and he has written to us not only about our Heavenly Dwelling in detail but has affirmed it through his word. 1 John 5:13 says, “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.”

My thoughts shifted to Jesus being the one in the chair outside of the dentist office. How many times has he been outside knocking for us to open the door to our hearts, maybe to meet him for the first time, maybe to spend time with him in His word or through prayer, to take in a widow or an orphan? Just like the ladies I spoke with to confirm my appointment I wonder if our response to God is, “I just spoke to you the other day” or “I just went to church on Sunday.” I wondered how many times his heart has been saddened because as much as He wants to come through the door of our lives and hearts….we have not welcomed Him. Look at the parable below. Remember…a parable is usually a short fictitious story that illustrates a moral attitude or a religious principle. Jesus used parables often throughout the scriptures.

The Narrow Door (Luke 13)

²²Then Jesus went through the towns and villages, teaching as he made his way to Jerusalem. ²³Someone asked him, “Lord, are only a few people going to be saved?” He said to them, ²⁴“Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. ²⁵Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’

“But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’ ²⁶“Then you will say, ‘We ate and drank with you, and you taught in our streets.’ ²⁷“But he will reply, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from. Away from me, all you evildoers!’

As you think about where you are today ask yourself, “which side of the door am I on?” Have I opened my door to Christ the only thing that matters in this life or have I rejected him? Think about the times this past week the Lord has prompted you to spend time with him in prayer, encourage someone, do something for someone less fortunate, or stepped up your commitment at church. Did you answer when you heard the knock? I don’t know about you friend but I don’t want to be on the outside of the door after it has closed and is eternally locked. Jesus is inviting us in but is not forcing Himself upon us. Don’t waste your days here on earth for things that will not matter for eternity.

Revelation 3:20 says, “Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.”

Let HIM in today so you won’t be standing at his door one day unable to enter!