When I taught secondary reading and writing, I would start by giving my students a visual representation of a door. When we walk through a door, we begin by acknowledging what we are doing. The opening paragraph serves as that entry point; it’s how we “open the door.” Then, we communicate our main message, whether it’s telling a story, providing information, persuading the reader, or guiding them to a conclusion. Finally, at the end of the writing piece, we “close the door.” This signifies that the piece is complete, and we can choose to end it with a soft close or a loud slam.
For several months, a group of us has been working on completing our fingerprints and background checks for volunteer purposes. A friend of mine has faced issues with this process for months—maybe it’s just a sign or that we’re getting older and things are different and don’t come as easily. I made the appointment and thought I was ready to go. As I drove to Little Rock, I told myself that if anything went wrong, I wouldn’t get upset or try to fix it repeatedly; I would simply accept it. I would understand that God was closing the door, something I felt He had been trying to do for a long time.
When I arrived, I signed in and spoke to the gentleman at the desk, only to realize that this couldn’t be completed. In that moment, it became clear to me that God was not just closing the door; He was slamming it shut and locking it. I understood this, and frankly, I felt a sense of relief.
Has God ever done this to you? You find yourself persistently pursuing something you don’t really want to do. You feel tired or frustrated facing closed doors over and over, yet you keep trying to force them open. That’s exactly what I had been doing. Each time God shut the door, I would try to reopen it—but not this time.
In our Christian faith, closed doors, or situations where opportunities seem to disappear, are often viewed as divine interventions. God may close doors to protect us, to redirect us towards a better path, or to test and strengthen our faith. These closures are not seen as rejection, but rather as a redirection by a loving God who has a greater plan and purpose in mind.
Let’s look at the details:
Protection- God closes doors to prevent us from entering situations that could be harmful or detrimental. He could be helping us not make a potential mistake.
Redirection- God closes doors to redirect us to the path of purpose that aligns with Him.
Faith- God closes doors so that we will lean on Him and trust what He has in store for us. This can build patience and perseverance.
Timing- God closes doors because He knows it isn’t the right time for the door to be open. Remember God is always working behind the scene.
In essence, when God closes a door, it’s not a sign of abandonment, but rather an invitation to trust in His wisdom, sovereignty, and love. It’s an opportunity to realign with His purpose and allow Him to guide you to a better path.
If we go to scripture, we find several examples of God closing doors. In Genesis 7:16 Noah has done everything God commanded of Him and then God closes the door. He closes the door to protect everyone and everything on the ark. Noah and his family were safely inside the door.
In Revelation 3:7 to the church of Philadelphia it reads:
These are the words of him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.
Gods closed doors can be a blessing in disguise. When He shuts the door, He shuts it.
So, this week remind yourself that at times a closed door can bring joy. We may not understand or feel the joy in the beginning, but we will someday.
To ensure JOY remember-
1.Show up for JESUS – Start your day in the Word.
2. Show up for OTHERS – Serve others, whether they are like you or not, whether they annoy you or are difficult to understand. That is what Jesus did; He showed up for everyone.
3. Show up for YOU – You need to fill your cup before you can help fill others’ cups.
WE WILL FIND JOY WHEN WE SHOW UP FOR JESUS, OTHERS, AND OURSELVES.
As Father Mike says, “You pray for me, and I will pray for you.”
Have a great week, Cupcake loves you.
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