Today, I have no new news, but I do have some good news: Jesus loves you and has done everything he possibly can to make life meaningful and worthwhile for each of us.
Jesus says to the church at Laodicea:
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in … (Rev. 3:20).”
The decision was theirs. He had made his. So, I think I can safely say that he stands at our doors also, just waiting for an invitation—the choice is ours, however, as said, he has already made his. The unpleasant truth is; however, we have barred the door from the inside, not him. Yet, we grieve that we feel spiritually dry, and long for fellowship while all the while he stands outside knocking. There is always in Christ a new door of opportunity, and best of all he stands behind that door anxiously waiting to give purpose and new meaning to life.
Old age in many senses of the word is a closed door. Some recognize that and sit down in their rocking chairs and while away their time for that final curtain call. It will come, that is for sure, and in these cases no doubt sooner before later.
For those of us in the so-called twilight years, there are doors of opportunity all around us. There is the door of listening to some poor soul pour out their frustrations and share their fears and disappoints with you—take a load off their shoulders, you might say. In times like that, it is best to leave that door open, kept your mouth shut and listen. Simply listening is therapy. Sometimes the best there is. Consider it a door of opportunity. We in these instances can stand-in for Christ, and listen just as he does.
Mother Teresa, who I had the privilege of meeting on more than one occasion, is quoted to have said,
“If you can’t feed a hundred people, then feed just one.”
KnockHow true that is. Small doors only open out to much larger opportunities; and if not, what have you lost?
Resplendent testimonies abound from missionaries around the world are a sobering reminder that God does answer intercessory prayers. Prayer in faith can and does remove mountains. Just plain hospitality is another door of opportunity. There was a time that missionaries were invited into homes for times of fellowship and sharing—today is not one of these times. All through scripture and up to recent times itinerate evangelists and missionaries were part of a larger family of God’s children and considered as such. Not anymore. Show hospitality. It’s Biblical (Romans 12:13; Hebrews 13:2). Peter even goes so far as to say,
“Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling (1 Peter 4:9).”
Prayer and hospitality are not the only neglected doors of opportunity, either. There are many more. One dear lady years ago decided that the orphan children in Egypt where Bonnie and I served as Directors of the Lillian Trasher Memorial Orphanage needed clothes. She began a Goodwill style drive that collected thousands of used clothes, tied them up in big cotton-like bundles and shipped them to us. Clothes that Americans had discarded as old or out of style were like inheriting a clothing factory to these kids. So, what am I saying? Look, pray, and expect God to lead you to new doors of opportunity even as you reach these golden years.
Practical Christianity is just as much of Christianity as a feel-good worship service. As a matter of fact, you and I will feel much better when we get off our duffs and do something worthwhile.
Blessings, and may God give each of us the wisdom and strength to take this good advice and put it into good use until we breathe our last breath.
Take good care of others and God will take good care of you!
JimR_/
No comments:
Post a Comment