open door or window pane

it was the day after my wedding, and our plane didn't depart for the Caribbean until the next morning. so, naturally we did what any newly-weds do right after they get married... we went to a movie.

afterwards we happily held hands, almost skipping out of the theater... she went through the door on the left. i went through the door that appeared to be already opened for me on the right. it was a window pane. the embarrassment hurt worse than the crushing sensation to my forehead as a girl behind us said "thank you... that was the first time i've laughed all night." i got up and grinned like a moron, and we went on our way.

I think we do that a lot in life... figuratively speaking.

as we go to the next step in our lives, we sometimes try to take the easiest looking route... the clearest, most sensible way. sometimes (most of the time) we're wrong.

we see a door that requires effort to open, and we steer clear. that door might be locked... but sometimes there's someone on the other side just waiting to open it up if we'll just knock.

i've been experiencing a similar situation recently. i won't go into details to protect the innocent, but let's just say i've got some BIG decisions to make. i'm really scared that if i take the easy way out, it may not be right, and i'll smack my forehead right into the glass. if i take the hard way, it may take a lot more effort, but in the end, i truly believe it will be best.

so, how do we discern with wisdom in such a situation? i guess the obvious solution is to just ask the person on the other side of the door.

Jeremiah 29:11 says ..."'for i know the plans i have for you' declares the Lord, 'plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.'"

it does not tell us specifics though, and that's really what we're looking for. we want answers. we want to be shown what the outcome will be so that we don't have to take any chances... so we ask.

i think the problem for most (for me anyway) is not in the asking... it's in the listening to (and then trusting in) the answer. i ask for God to show me the way... He always does. i tell Him that this couldn't be right... i hit the glass.

we cannot put human limitations on God's unlimited nature. He KNOWS the plans He has for us.
in James 4:13-17 it says... "now listen, you who say ' today or tomorrow we will go into this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money' why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. what is your life? you are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. instead, you ought to say 'if it is the Lord's will we will live and do this or that.' as it is, you boast and brag. all such boasting is evil. anyone then, who knows the good he ought to do and does not do it, sins."

so in asking, we must be persistent and faithful. above all, we seek His will in ALL things. that's tougher than it sounds when family, friends, money, stress, hurt.... life is put into the equation.

my prayer is that as i come to the next "door" in my life, i hear the voice of the One with the key... and if He says "come on in", i pray that i have the courage to close it behind me...

well, here goes. i'll let you know if it works out.