Open & closed doors, free will and trust

Today I was chatting with my sister about open and closed doors. I believe that we constantly have doors in front of us and it's like we're in a long hallway. 

Those doors represent choices that we can make (or not make) based on the options offered behind them. Some of the doors are wide open, some are partially opened and some are closed (but keep in mind that those closed doors may open later when the time is right but when they're closed they're not for us right at that time).

Then, my thoughts went to free will. We all have it. But sadly, as human beings we tend to be a little stupid sometimes and we want our way. Sometimes instead of choosing what would be the logical thing, which would be an open door - and if there is more than one open door, the right open door, which we have to figure out ourselves. The best way is not rely on just us and our own understanding. The Bible says, "“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths” (Proverbs 3: 5-6). Ideally, the choice we make should be through prayer for guidance and the consideration of each one. It's up to us to do the thing that is wise rather than stupid. 

Then my thoughts drifted to all the times I've been in that hallway and tried to force open a closed door. Rebel that I am, I have plowed a few down, getting hurt in the process, just to get my way. God was not part of the equation at that time, to ask which door would be best because I had shunned him. It's ridiculous! We fight and fight and fight to get that door open so that we can get through it and have our way, when all the while, there's a better door that's wide open right next to it!

God wants us to have peace. When we fight and fight to force something to happen because that's what we want and we're not trusting God, it takes away our peace. When we try to do it on our own, we are not in God's will. Then we get to deal with the aftermath of our own poor choices and there's a lesson in that.

So, it all boils down to trust and patience. Instead of trying to force things, we need to learn to be wise, patient and still.

psalm 46:10
(new international version)
says, “be still, and know that I am god;(a)
    I will be exalted(b) among the nations,
    I will be exalted in the earth.”

That means so many things, but the very first line "Be still and know that I am God" is what I cling to. 

Or if you put it in the words of Mr miyagi, it would be "patience, grasshopper".

Being still equals patience, which equals peace - as long as your patience is based on your trust in God ... to just give it all to God and trust. It's really hard as humans to not take it back and try to handle it ourselves. It's just better to leave it in the capable hands of the father God and trust. It will work itself out. It may not be the way we want it to be, but it will be the way that it's supposed to be because there's a further purpose!

Look at me, all preachy and stuff!

I never thought I'd see the day.


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