Come and Knock on My Door
When was the last time you spent a good bit of time digging into the Word or just being silent in God’s presence? If you’re like me, you’ll have to look deep into the recesses of your mind to find that memory.
It’s so easy to let the busyness of life distract us from God. Even our ministry or work at church can overshadow Him. Make the decision, with me, to focus on developing your relationship with the Lord.
Open Up to God
According to Revelation 3:20, Jesus made a solid promise – to be there when we call.
“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends. (NLT)
Jesus isn’t talking to non-believers in this passage. He’s pleading with church-goers from Laodicea (modern-day Turkey) to open their hearts. Just before this verse, He rebukes their lackadaisical faith.
“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. So I advise you to buy gold from me—gold that has been purified by fire. Then you will be rich. Also buy white garments from me so you will not be shamed by your nakedness, and ointment for your eyes so you will be able to see. I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference. Revelation 3:15-19 (NLT)
Revelation 3:20 shows us what our relationship with God is supposed to look like. Instead of occasional Sunday morning meetings, we should be continually answering the door when Jesus knocks. It says we’ll hear His voice. He’s always speaking. Are you listening?
Get comfortable with God, as if He were your closest friend. Invite Him to fellowship with you, and he won’t refuse the offer. He’s ready to come in.
The Sounds of Silence
Part of my problem is that I allow too many distracters to sway my attention away from God. The answer is solitude. Jesus “went away” to just be alone a number of times. Check them out for yourself: Matthew 4:1, 14:23; Mark 1:35; Luke 4:42.
If Jesus needed to take time away from it all, how much more do we? Without the noise of life blaring at you, the Lord can get your attention much easier. Follow Christ’s example from Mark 1:35.
"Very early in the morning, while it was still dark, Jesus got up. Left the house and went off to a solitary place, where He prayed." (NIV)
Create an atmosphere of complete solitude. Turn off the television, the radio (even the Christian music), and just sit in God’s presence. It may feel uncomfortable to you at first. Our society has produced in us an insatiable need for noise. Disregard any awkwardness that ensues. What God has in store to share with you in quiet far out ways any initial nervousness you may experience.
After time in His presence, pull out your Bible. Mediating on His Word is part of that initial verse from Revelation 3:20. Jesus says He’ll dine with us, not on temporal food, but Truth that brings substance to your faith. When the Son of Man was tempted in the desert, He replied, “Man does not live on bread alone” (Luke 4:4). He’s referring to a passage in Deuteronomy 8, which says “man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord.”
Heed the words God speaks to your heart, but be careful not to forsake reading the Bible. Dig deep into His presence and written Word and He continually feed your soul.
