DEVOTION: Year One The Door is Open

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 Monday, January 10, 2011 - 01:17 by Beth Bondurant

 Years ago I joined a group of folks who slept on the Court House lawn to call attention to the people who were homeless and took refuge at night in card board boxes... and through the night, down town was bustling with activity. 

 

Arriving in NYC ... in the wee hours of the morning... verified it was a "city that never sleeps".  The door to life is always open... day or night... no matter where we are.

 

In NYC we attended a performance in Madison Square Garden and had premium seats a few rows from the front and directly in the middle.  By the time the show started, I was surrounded on three sides by folks speaking a language I could not detect... nor understand ... even a word.  The people were laughing and talking and enjoying the experience just as my family did... but in another custom and language.

 

"Peter fairly exploded with his good news: "It's God's own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you're from—if you want God and are ready to do as God says, the door is open."

 

We have a tendency to have a narrow view of the world and find security in feeling God loves us the most and tells... only us... the truth.  But Simon Peter... the Big Fisherman of the NT... had a life changing experience and was able to say... no matter who it is or where they are... "the door is open to God".  It isn't the language we know or the heritage we've learned... it is the way we want to live in relationship to God and to one another.

 

O God, help me to be more gracious to people I do not know... nor understand. Forgive me when I don't appreciate Your love and support that comes through them to me.  I want to be more inclusive ... more perceptive... more adaptable and accepting of those who talk a different language... or come from another background of faith but I don't do well in my intentions.  Help me to open the door of my heart to your unconditional love so that it can pour out through me.  O God, open not only my heart... but also my ears... so I listen and learn and grow in love.  O God, take my hands and use them to bring hope and healing... instead of judgment and brokenness.  Help me BELIEVE that day or night... anywhere... at any time... for any person...from day one... Your door is open.