[273 words]
Sometimes I forget that it is a holiday and drive to the bank to deposit a needed check, only to see a sign on the door that reads “Closed.” Frustrating.
On one summer night a few years ago, my wife and I were craving some Maggie Moo’s Ice Cream. We made the thirty-minute trek from our home in Maryville to the nearest Maggie Moo’s, only to see that the neon sign that read “Open” was not lit up. They were closed. Disappointing.
On one occasion, my gas light came on during a stretch of the interstate where exits were few and far between. As more and more mile markers swept by, I began to get nervous. When I came to the next exit, I got off and made my way to the nearest gas station. The sign on the door said, ”We’re Closed.” Troubling.
Now, there is something that is far more frustrating, disappointing, and troubling than a closed bank, ice cream shop, or gas station, and that is a heart that is not open to God. What is the sign on the door of your heart saying to God? Open 24 hours? Closed?
As you are contemplating your honest response to this question, keep three things in mind: (1) God will not come into your heart uninvited (Rev. 3:20); (2) opening your heart up to God involves giving your entire life to God, not just one or two days a week (Rom. 6:5-14); (3) once the door closes on your life or Jesus returns, you will not be able to exchange a closed sign for an open one (Luke 13:22-29).
Jacob Evans
Pulaski Street church of Christ
Lawrenceburg, TN