I can remember them clearly; several nerve-wracking moments in my life where I've had to knock on the door of someone's house where I either had to apologize to for making a bad decision (as a young child), or have the dreaded break-up conversation with a boy in high-school (If it sounds like there were many boys, let me clarify and say there were not -ha!)
Reading Matthew 7:7-8 reminds me of the moments where I've felt most insecure to "knock", which also include the moments that I received an invite, but I wasn't sure that I deserved it.
"Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened."
You're invited to ask God for what you need in prayer, and you're encouraged to knock so that His door will open to you.
But here's what seems to happen to many of us;
- We approach the door, but it appears too small to fit through because we still doubt that God would really help us.
- We approach a door that has multiple locks, labeled with our past mistakes, making it nearly impossible to open.
- We approach a door that has limited operating hours, and we are rarely on time.
In reality, the door is not too small, it doesn't have any locks on it, and God always opens it.
So why do we get stuck on the porch God when He says, "knock" and promises that it will open. Because it's too easy? It's instant access? Can we handle that kind of access? Is our life "right" enough for this moment?
When we understand that it's not our life's work that opens the door, it's our knock and Jesus' finished work on the cross that opens the door. Nothing more. Nothing less. That's when we get to see for ourselves what Jesus offers when He invites us in.
Two things we can count on: Jesus keeps the door hinges well-greased and it's meant to be opened.
So we knock. Whether we come scared and broken, or confident and at peace, God extended the invite to you the moment He created you in your momma's womb, so come and knock and ask what you need to of God.
The MSG paraphrase of Matt. 7:8-11 says this;
“Don’t bargain with God. Be direct. Ask for what you need. This isn’t a cat-and-mouse, hide-and-seek game we’re in. If your child asks for bread, do you trick him with sawdust? If he asks for fish, do you scare him with a live snake on his plate? As bad as you are, you wouldn’t think of such a thing. You’re at least decent to your own children. So don’t you think the God who conceived you in love will be even better?
I'm praying for you today, sister. With God there is no long, winding sidewalk with an intimidating door. He's right where you are, He's more friendly and familiar than you can imagine, and He's already reaching for the door handle.
With Love,
Em
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