LEARN TO SHUT YOUR DOOR

Sunday: April 19, 2020

Reference: John 20:19-31

John 20:19 Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

There are many rooms in every house with different door handles and locks. Some doors have no locks and some are not used unless they have locks. Even when people live in the ‘safest’ of neighbourhoods, the doors to their homes are always left shut. It is rare for people to lock a door because they don’t want to keep themselves from coming out, rather, doors are locked they to keep things coming in from outside.

The disciples shut their doors out of fear and that is a massive standout. But my attention today lies not with this reason, but the literal fact that ‘they locked the door themselves’. To be able to lock a door suggests possession of some kind of key or locking system that keeps any uninvited guests out. And sometimes, that is the one thing we find difficult to do: to lock our doors to keep somethings out.

Of course ‘love all people, be generous and help when you can’, these principles remain operational. But with keys in your hand, there ought to be moments when you shut your doors to some voices, some situations and even to some people. Shutting a door yourself might sound like turning your back on things, but in certain instances, that is the key to preservation.

Shutting a door gives you time to do some thinking to ascertain if indeed the voice, situation or person standing behind the door warrants your attention and decision to open up because that, is your choice. ‘Revelation 3:20 says’ ‘Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.’ A locked door is implied because it takes the person behind it to grant access.

So my dear, don’t fret too much when you have to close certain doors, cut off certain relationships or shut out specific voices. It is part of the growth process.

#sly