Vern and my husband just came back from their trip to the dump. All went well until they got back and the little black dog ran under the camper and wouldn’t come out. After trying to call his name several times, my husband left Vern and went inside to find a treat. Once the treat was in hand, he headed back outside to retrieve Vern. But to our surprise, Vern was at the screen door, waiting for the door to be opened.
How often do we wait at doors, hoping they will be opened for us to enter? Many times the doors are opened and other times, they stay closed. Envision a line of people walking through the door. It appears so easy for them, but not for you. Each time you get up to the door, you take the knob and no matter how hard you try, the door stays closed.
This is when bitterness can creep in. You start looking at the other people, only to churn up your anger. If only we would focus on God’s word in these situations. As I was trying to find peace about my own closed door, I found a Scripture that softened my heart.
In Acts 2:4 it states, “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.”
I’d like to give a little background information: Jesus is getting ready to ascend to heaven. But before he leaves, he gives the men and women who had been with him specific directions to stay in Jerusalem. And they did just that. After ten days of his ascension, it happens. The Holy Spirit comes down like fire and a rushing wind and before their very eyes the fire lands on each person.
And then this is the part I want us to focus on. It states that they were able to speak in tongues as the Spirit enabled them. Noticed those five words at the end. “as the Spirit enabled them.”
As crazy as this experience was, the Spirit still was in control. And He is today. If you have received the Holy Spirit in your life, then this verse applies to you. So when you come across closed doors, remember the Spirit enables it to stay shut for a reason. Given the compassionate nature of Jesus, I believe closed doors are for my good and for God’s glory.
As for Vern, the door was opened and he came through only to be taken up to the counter where he received a bath. And from the looks of it, I think he wished the door had stayed shut.
