Open Doors

I have asked the Lord to open doors in my life for the bigger ministry that I feel called to in my spirit. When I last blogged, I asked the question about a new opportunity, "Is It a Door?" And I prayed if it was, that He would open it for me.

When I applied for the position of a writer on Examiner.com, I asked the Lord to open the door if it was His will. When I sent the application in, I was told it would take a couple weeks to hear back, but it actually only took a few days. The reply was an enthusiastic welcome into the new opportunity, it felt like the door was swung wide, and whoever was minding the door swept with a big smile and a "come on in."

Now this is just a little gig, and you almost can't even call it a paid gig, because although I can earn a little cash if folks take the time to stop by my page, it isn't going to be enough to take the family out to dinner in an actual restaurant, much less help with the mortgage, or pay for Jake's college. And yet, I believe it is a door the Lord led me to, and a door that He actually swung open.

Interestingly in the article I wrote to apply for the opportunity, I talked about how ministry is divided by one. It is my firm belief that the Lord goes to great extents to reach out and minister to the individual. He cares about the one, so if this opportunity gives me an avenue to speak the word of God into a life that I might not ever cross paths with in any other way, then that's His purpose for the door, and it is a noble purpose indeed.

I also know the Lord is beyond efficient, and as much as He will hopefully use me in this opportunity, because I believe anywhere God places one of His children, He places them there to establish His kingdom; it is also just as likely (almost guaranteed) that He has placed me there for my benefit in some manner as well. Whether it's to teach me something, or train me in some manner, I trust He has a purpose. But what I am most excited about is the possibility of partnering with Him in some small way in this tiny little page on a very big website. Because I know if He wants to use, not only can He, but He will.

As much as I have aspirations and desires, the truth be told, the last thing I know I heard the Lord say to me was "Write. In a exceptionally painful time, in a long and painful season, one with isolation, confusion and discouragement, I cried out to the Lord seeking direction and wisdom and His very clear response to me was that I should write. It's how this blog was birthed.

I am still asking the Lord for more doors. Whether the next door is beyond this one that I am in the process of entering or whether I will come back out of the "room" this door leads to and find another, will remain to be seen. I've been reading this terrific book called "Anonymous: Jesus' Hidden Years... and Yours," that a dear friend recommended to me and it's spoken to me in many ways. The bottom line of it for me (so far) has become that I want to spend less time worrying about the doors of destination and concentrate on the journey in the hall, and more importantly, on the Company I'm keeping there. I want to be in the moment of now fully, not constantly looking down the "hall" for another door. I am realizing that the fellowship in the hall, and the lessons to be learned there have great value.

I'm excited about new opportunities, and I am hopeful for more, but I have a new found peace about the process. I know the Lord is working on my behalf, and I know His plans for me are good. Most of all, I know He loves me, and He is with me and will never leave me. And as long as that is true, there is no place He might lead me that I'm not willing to go.

My hope is renewed, not because of the door, but because of the One who led me there.