By Pastor Don Schatz

Open Door Policy

You can listen to today’s Devotion by clicking on this SoundCloud link.

Over the years, when people would ask how I became a Pastor, doors were part of my answer.  I had no ‘light on the Damascus Road’ experience.  Instead, the doors that closed and opened in my life led to the ministry.  Similarly, ministry doors continued to be present themselves.  As I finished Seminary, I wanted to work in the mission field.  That door did not open.  I wasn’t that interested in serving in parish ministry.  Those were the doors that opened.  The Lord led me into the ministry setting me where he wanted me.  And I learned to be content in his wisdom and direction.

“Knock, and the door will be opened to you.”
Matthew 7:7. New International Version

The open arms of Jesus beckon to us today, welcoming us into the day, inviting us to walk about in the world with him today.  Those welcoming arms through the doors of faith picture peace, hold out hope, promise purpose to our living out the Christ-life.  

My experience over the years has been that the doors to God’s presence, to his heart, to his love are never closed.  At times it seemed as though they were.  Then I opened the pages of Scripture, and there Christ is.  I prayed, and God was present to me.  I learned that when doors to the Lord’s heart were closed, invariably I was the one who had closed them.  God did not.  God will not.

Each time you walk through a doorway today, see Jesus.  Every closed door you encounter today, expect that Christ is on the other side.  Where you have closed doors in your heart, mind, even in your relationships–can the welcoming arms of Jesus through the open doors of his heart help you open your closed doors?

In the wonder of his mercy, Christ makes his heart ours, his welcoming arms ours; he makes of us his open doors for others.  Let’s walk about in the world with Jesus today.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado