I am a huge fan of Oswald Chambers who wrote “My Utmost For His Highest”. I just got a new copy of it because I had pretty much worn mine out and I hope that this new one will hold up for quite a while because it is my all time favorite devotional. 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. A recent selection 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?
The phrase “when God closes a door He opens a window” has been emblazoned everywhere. You can find it on cards, signs, written in the margins of Bibles and even on clothing. I think it is one of those catch phrases that people take comfort in and I must admit that there have been times when I have recited that phrase to myself in an effort to move forward.
We may never know why a door is closed, why a window remains closed or what opportunity might have gone by the wayside. That is where I have found my faith kicks in. I just know. Deep in my heart. I know that God is there and that I can look for another door, another window or even maybe just a pinprick of light at the end of the dark tunnel that I am in.
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 thing to know and claim as truth.
16 Comments
Leave a commentWe are never alone. Even when we carelessly close a door.
Absolutely. Truth. Thanks, Dawn.
This is so good. Oswald Chambers was a fave of my mother’s – and mine!
Don’t you just love him? I think his wisdom is amazing and I can read the selections time and time again and have a different perspective each time I read it. 🙂
A lovely post. One worth rereading. Thanks.
Thanks, Darlene. You make me smile and I love that you have been a follower for so long. 🙂
Thank you. Yes, it is funny how we tend to grasp at catchy phrases but I really loved your last paragraph, a beautiful look at Grace. Blessings!
Thanks for stopping by, Marie and leaving a comment. Thank you also for your kind words. Grace is a gift. Huge gift.
Great introspective post!
Thanks so much, Josh. You are always so encouraging and I appreciate that.
After many years, and probably much hard learned lessons! ha – I have finally learned that His timing is infinitely more perfect than my own. In fact, my sucks. LOL
My timing sucks, too. I “Think” I know what is right but honestly I don’t. Thanks for your comments!
My mom had an framed embroidered piece hanging on the wall with that phrase. As a kid it always confused me. Why did God close the door at all? He wouldn’t have hod to bother with a window, if he left it open! (Kids can be so darn literal!)
When I was older it made more sense. 🙂
Very well stated. It is comforting to know this.
Amen! I am sharing this post with John. He often quotes Oswald Chambers.
Nice…even if it was too serious to admit a comment about an adorable door 🙂 Linking!