Open door

The other evening I came down to a half way open back door in the evening. My kids had attempted to close it but a shoe left the door propped open half way. This would allow any critter to come through and in uninvited because an entryway was created for it.

Just in the same way when we are not supposed to let the enemy in, there is a little bit of a wedge we create and room for him to enter. How can this be so? In practical terms when we allow offense, or unforgiveness in we are giving room for bitterness to grow root. This little stumbling block opens the door for chaos to enter. As we are reminded:

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: And their contentions are like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 18:19

This brother is now a prisoner in his own home, not walking in and out freely. There are bars surrounding his heart from intruders but those bars are also keeping him from stepping out and receiving from the sources around him. Have you noticed an offended brother keeping to themselves, I have. They seem to create an island around themselves, in isolation. Here they think they can keep the intruders out and protect themselves from all attacks; but I’ll ask the question how long before their resources run dry, how long before they cannot self sustain.

We are called to unity, meeting together, sharpening each-other. Anything opposite from this is of the enemy. Where do we stand today? Are there people we need to recon with, let us reckon the offense and open the doors once again to growth and unity, for our own sake. Let’s stop allowing the enemy to come into our home with offense and building these walls from the very people we need to be serving or who need to be ministering to us.

Did we even consider why the enemy put that seed of offense into our path? Perhaps this person would of been our breakthrough or you theirs, yet the enemy has planted a separation. In effect, we don’t minister, nor have opportunity to create a ripple effect in their lives. Let’s not fall into this trap dear ones.

I can’t imagine what I would do if a snake entered my home or a mouse from the forrest in the back and made it’s way into my kitchen, yuk! I sure would need help. Yet, sometimes we let these things into our home and need help from experts to get them out.

Help is available, when one suffers we all should be suffering. We are called to have a heart of compassion not indifference. Community helps us see where people have struggles and overcame, what new skill set and insight was gained and how we can overcome our problem too. Isolation is not our calling, even for this reason alone.

Perhaps the critters got in, hid and slowly stole when unnoticed. Then we are feeding a giant, suspecting yet unaware until we see damage. In the same way we can prevent certain fears from growing, by keeping that door closed in the first place. When we see an issue arise take heed to deal with it promptly, close the door and get rid of the offense. Let’s remember to stand guard lest we fall, let’s not allow the root of bitterness to grow.

Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.

1Peter 5:8

Stand strong, remain in community, close doors and seek help when needed. May the grace of God lead you further in your journey with Him.