“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make

straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6 (ESV)

I took the time the other day to count the doors at our place. It took about 30 seconds to figure out that there’s 12 of them. Kind of a mundane exercise, but it got me thinking about “closed and open doors” and how God uses both kinds in our lives.

The “open doors” are the opportunity ones. They can be captivating, motivating and exciting or, on the flip side, intimidating, overwhelming, and downright scary! You see, open doors usually mean “change.” Change is a great concept, but most of us are wired to resist it.

The “closed doors” are more of an enigma. Sometimes it’s an issue where we’ve had a real brilliant, “Einstein-ish,” “Mensa-grade,” “Humdinger” of an idea, only to find that nobody else shares our enthusiasm . . . that finances aren’t there, and logistical realties (or common sense) present us with a closed door.

It’s not an exact science, and it takes a lot of prayer to differentiate between “normal” obstacles and doors that are truly closed, but as we follow God’s way and get to know the principles and absolutes of the Scriptures, it gets easier to make those distinctions.

As we seek guidance in our lives from God’s Spirit, we learn that two of His navigational tools are open and closed doors.

– Kene Jackson

 

Council Fire is a collaboration with Intertribal Life Ministries and Native Evangelical Fellowship of Canada.

The Council Fire Daily Devotional Book Set is available on the Intertribal Life Ministries website.

Learn more about Council Fire at councilfire365.org