Almost every Christian I've talked to seems to be caught up in this "open" or "closed" door system that God supposedly uses. Now God certainly gives a time for opportunity and a time to buckle down but I think we limit him-limit ourselves-when we think this way. The more I'm living the more I'm realizing that God is so much bigger than just doors. I think sometimes we only see the doors and when there all shut on us we choose to turn back because: "This is obviously not what God has for me." Sometimes we convince ourselves that if its not working out perfectly then it can't be Gods will-but this is merely a human way of thinking. Do you think the God of the universe chooses to limit himself with just doors of opportunity?
Sometimes life feels like a maze; we navigate each corner only to find more dead ends. Did you ever think that maybe God's intention for us was to stop following the rules of the maze? I think of the Israelites in this case. Every time that God saves them they find some brief rest until the next distraction comes along and they instantly freeze, panic and revert back to their old ways. I don't believe this is what God wants for us.
I believe God is looking for men and women like David. People who don't stare at the obstacles but find the solutions. They don't see giants, they see a free Israel.
People who see walls not doors.
Christians should be people who find ways of grappling over, bulldozing, or detonating the obstacles life puts in their way. If God points us in a direction its crucial for us to stay the course and sometimes that involves a little dirty work.
Most of us let our circumstances define us: our health, financial situations, possessions, jobs, relationships, etc. but we should not be defined by the maze we find ourselves in. God asks us to instead define the maze. Putting doors were there should be doors. Closing off death traps so others don't follow. Building bridges to connect to long lost territories. Sometimes we think only of ourselves when we search out Gods will but do we ever consider how many lost adventures like us will find themselves following the very paths we set out to make? Our brothers and sisters will flock through the doors we choose to make bringing them to new lands and equally they will find themselves in the pitfalls that we choose not to remove.
Shouldn't we be the people leaving bread crumbs for others to follow? Hints for those who find themselves in our foot prints? I think America has gotten long away from this concept. The American dream is to pull yourself up by your own bootstraps. This is a noble pursuit yes but do we achieve our life long dreams only to die with them? We have to be the people to bless those who come after us, because some day they'll be the ones who'll go far past our legacies.
When I think about this I'm reminded of an old marine advertisement where a young solider finds himself in a maze. As soon as he realizes where he is he decides to get through it. At one point he uses his own belt to escape from the maze. Eventually the commercial ends with him becoming a marine. This is what I think of when I think of Gods will. Life sucks. Things are hard. God never promises it will be easier. He does however promise that it will be easier with him leading the way.
So dust off your back packs, gather your climbing ropes and light a torch because a grand adventure awaits for those who seek it!
Book I am currently learning a lot from!
Wide Awake: The Future Is Waiting Within You
