I am a huge fan of Oswald Chambers who wrote “My Utmost For His Highest”. Sometimes I have to read the selection several times before I can really understand what he is getting at. He is a pretty deep fellow. The selection yesterday got me thinking about doors.
” God never again opens the doors that have been closed. He opens other doors , but he reminds us that there have been doors that we have shut—doors which had no need to be shut….God will turn what might have been into a wonderful lesson of growth for the future.”
How many doors have I allowed to shut without even realizing that I allowed that to happen? How many times have I closed my eyes to the possibility of something that could have made a difference in the direction that my life was taking? Have I actually learned from any of the doors that I shut on my own? Have I been able to move past the disappointment of shutting a door that I should have kept open and walked through boldly?
What a wonderful thing that our God allows us to move on, to acknowledge when we do not follow perhaps the best path and allow us another chance and another path. The knowledge that He is with me—no matter how many doors I inexplicably close—that is the most wonderful feeling that I could have.
13 Comments
Leave a commentOh, I remember both my mother and grandmother reading that book. It seemed a silent fixture during my childhood. Important things to think about today.
Hugs,
Kathy
Oh I bet it was judging from the little I know about your mom! He always makes me think!
This is a beautiful post, worthy of submitting to a devotional for publication consideration.
Thanks Audrey. My goal is to someday do a book with this kind of offerings. We will see if I can make it happen!
This is food for thought… but as I was reading it, I was thinking about two things… one, I firmly believe that things happen for a reason and two, I try not to live my live with “What If’s”! I think, it’s ok to wonder once in a while but not to wallow in it!
Good thought also!!!
I have felt God opening doors for me and I have gone on through some. The others I am not so sure they were there for me. It is not always easy to see the door.
You are quite right—-it is always interesting!!!
BA, just knowing that the Holy Spirit is controlling the doors makes living much easier. Thanks for a lovely post with a great analagy.
You are so welcome!!! Thank you for reading!!!
Beautiful Beth Ann. I love Oswald Chambers but have to confess that it takes me many reads to really “get” some of his thoughts too. I sure wish God would label some of the doors so I wouldn’t miss an important one! 🙂
I have to read it many times before I start to “get” it, too!
Great thought for the day. His writings are certainly good for making one think.