[This post is in a weekly devotional series called Everything New.]
In many doorways of the Roman Empire there was a depiction of a god with two faces pointing in opposite directions. Janus was the god of transitions. He looked ahead and he looked behind–to the past and the future. He was a kind of doorkeeper, a minder of the gate. And so our calendar’s first month, January, is named after him. On January 1 of the new year we look behind, and we look ahead.
So what’s on the other side of the doorway you’re stepping through?
One day Jesus said: “I am the gate for the sheep…. whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10).
In Jesus’ day the shepherd tending a small flock would gather the sheep into a pen during the dangerous night hours and he himself would lay across the gate area, acting as a human door. And then the “door” would come open in the morning and the sheep could go out to pasture.
How we all need the protection of Jesus Christ! But here’s something I think we frequently miss. Jesus’ emphasis is not just on being a door that protects us from outside intruders, but a doorway designed to let us out into the wide world around us where there is a world of opportunity to make a difference.
Every day of this new year we will each need the protection of a secure door, and we will need doors to swing open so that we can move out into the mission and purposes of God for our lives. Jesus said he came so that we could have life, and have it to the full. Not just full of busyness and belongings–but full of purpose and hope.
A God filled life – one that responds in obedience to every word of God –
Problem today is Christians having lives filled with doing things and missing
the intimacy with Him that alone leads to purpose and Hope – that satisfies the heart of
Father God and His children – learning to live life as He intends, for His honour and glory.
TRUSTING AND OBEYING.
life begins with Jesus
I Will measure my spiritual grew by Jesus Christ and not by People in this world that way I will alway need to do more learn more give more and never stop growing
This is an awesome article and it holds all truths. It is the medicine I needed today. For you see, since the New Year began (3 days ago), I have not been diligent in fully keeping my promise to God – to keep Him first and foremost in my life. Several times, I tried (unsuccessfully) to disect the reasonings and rationale for certain things that happened thus far. Sadly, to say, each time I had to humble myself to God and to the person directly involved. I need to stop putting my feet in my mouth and just be still and wait on the Lord. I will never give up inspite of my shortcomings. I LOVE JESUS too much to do that. I’ve got to learn to trust HIM and continue to have faith in His promises and know that He will do for those who believes and keeps His word.
May God continue to BLESS your ministry and always shine His Ligth Upon You.
This is an awesome article and it holds all truths. It is the medicine I needed today. For you see, since the New Year began (3 days ago), I have not been diligent in fully keeping my promise to God – to keep Him first and foremost in my life. Several times, I tried (unsuccessfully) to disect the reasonings and rationale for certain things that happened thus far. Sadly, to say, each time I had to humble myself to God and to the person directly involved. I need to stop putting my feet in my mouth and just be still and wait on the Lord. I will never give up inspite of my shortcomings. I LOVE JESUS too much to do that. I’ve got to learn to trust HIM and continue to have faith in His promises and know that He will do for those who believes and keeps His word.
May God continue to BLESS your ministry and always shine His Light Upon You.
I agree.I need doors to swing open this year so I can go to Thailand and help children
Come to Jesus, come to Jesus just come ,but just know this when you come to Jesus be ready to pick up your cross and follow him . Be blessed .
I need doors to be opened so that I can give books to needy children
gracias le doy a Dios pr este medio tan especial y renovador de mi espíritu por sus enseñamzas
I absolutely love this devotional. My prayer is for the discipline to be still and listen for the voice of the Lord and for the courage to step out in faith this year and follow that still, small voice in complete submission and obedience. I truly long to be a person of influence for the glory of God!
Whereever I go, whatever I do may I always be mindful that Jesus opens the doors for us to magnify his glory in all our works.
Darlene