The Closed Door

Given March 2, 2006

We hear often about how God speaks to His people. He speaks through His Word, through other people, in our spirit, and some say they’ve actually heard the audible voice of God, (Moses was one of these). But have you ever heard of God speaking to anyone through a slamming door? Well, lemme tell you about it.

Last year, I was struggling with some decisions and didn’t know whether or not to pursue, what I thought, was an opportunity. I was soon to retire from public education and had two or three options for post-retirement work. I'd been promoting myself for one of those opportunities but just didn’t feel right about it. You know how it is.

The Bible says God will open and close doors, “…I am the one who is holy and true, and I have the keys that belonged to David. When I open a door, no one can close it. And when I close a door, no one can open it. Listen to what I say. Revelation 3:7 CEV”. As I was going to work this morning and walking through the door of my building, I just blurted out to God, “God, if you don’t want me to pursue that job, just shut the door!”

Well, just as the words left my mouth, I heard the heavy metal door I had just walked through, slam shut behind me! Oh man, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I said, “Ok God, I get the message.” God had just spoken to me through a slamming door!

And you know it was, of course, the right decision. I stopped pursuing that avenue and felt at peace about it. But God spoke to my spirit later that if He wanted me to have that job, I’d have it. But I wasn’t to mess things up by trying to do it myself. Great advice.