It’s an experience we face from time to time when an apparent open door of opportunity closes, and we are not sure what to do. We’ll probably hear a word with which people try to console saying, “whenever one door closes another door opens,” but how do you find and recognize the open door? Is it God who has closed one door and will He open another one? What should you do?
Anyone who is a follower of Jesus Christ, recognizes by His word that He is the one who opens and shuts doors for us as He leads us along in life. As Jesus stated in the book of Revelation, He is in control of opening and shutting doors so we should pay attention both to the open and shut doors as well as to seeking His will and purpose in order to discern which opportunities in life we should focus.
Revelation 3:7 (ESV) — 7 “And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: ‘The words of the holy one, the true one, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens.
Romans 12:1–2 (ESV) — 1 I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. 2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
Notice the words above that if we want to discern an open door then we are to make sure we not conforming to world but are being transformed by the renewing of our minds and by testing we are able to discern what is the will of God.
God does not send you a text. His word will transform your mind so that you will have the mind of Christ then as you test an apparent open door you will be able to discern if this is from God or not.
1 Corinthians 2:14–16 (ESV) — 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.
Not only is feeding on the word important in finding and recognizing and open door in God’s plan but prayer is as well. Notice the two scriptures below that prayer is important in seeking and open door and prayer is also important to keep you persevering through the open door lest you be turned away by a myriad of difficulties or distractions.
Colossians 4:3 (ESV) — 3 At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison—
1 Corinthians 16:9 (ESV) — 9 for a wide door for effective work has opened to me, and there are many adversaries.
It’s important that God is the one who opens doors and shuts doors so rather than complain about a closed door or the lack of an open door, it behooves us to take heed to His word, approach Him in prayer as you seek to know what is or isn’t an open door of opportunity.
James 3:13–18 (ESV) — 13 Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. 15 This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
It’s important to seek the wisdom of God as you seek for an open door but keep in mind the deception of the world, the flesh, and the devil to pull you away through bitterness, jealousy, or selfish ambition. In other words, when you try to make an open door there could be a great price to pay so it’s best to seek for God and practice discernment in order to enjoy His peace.
Godspeed,
Bob Brubaker
