Devotionals

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Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me
Revelation 3:20

When i first came to the faith I remember reading this Bible verse.
I also remember the famous painting of Jesus standing at a door, knocking.
I remember hearing someone say, why doesn’t he just open the door? I sat there, quietly agreeing.
As I was, another person said, there is no handle, it is on the other side.
This simple illustration startled me.

All my Christian life, I had foolishly, and quite arrogantly assumed God would come to me. When the time was right, he would come to me and all would be fine and dandy.
Now looking back, I see how perfect and simple this Bible verse, and picture is.

When you are expecting people to come to your home, you are waiting for a knock at the door.
You are preparing yourself, and your home. You tidy, you hover, you clean.
You start to prepare dinner, maybe you have been preparing it all day. You are most likely rushing around, watching the clock, putting together the finishing touches to the table etc.
When you hear the knock at the door, you walk readily to the door and let them in. Smiles all round.
You were PREPARED for the visit.

Now,when it is unexpected, you may do the following.
Ignore it – however many times the person knocks.
Wait till the knocking becomes so persistant you finally go to answer it.
Creep to the door, and look through the spy hole, to see who it is ( we’ve all done it )

This revelation came to me.
People do not let themselves into your home. They knock and wait.
They wait to be invited in.
You may invite them in, and they become long time friends. You share food with them, let them into your lives.
You may invite them in, they may try to sell you something, you may decline the offer. After which, they may never return.........

Looking back, when I was a lost sheep, Jesus knocked at my door. Many a time. He never gave up. Because I never let him in.
He was persistant.
It was never a fist banging, let me in, you owe me something sort of knock. Always a gentle tap. Loud enough that I could hear it, but not so loud it would get my back up. Some days it was almost a whisper.
‘Ruth, can I come in?’
As time grew, he became more persistant, and instead of visiting just on weekends, he would come every day.
The knocking got slightly louder, and for longer periods of time, until it got to the point I was lying in my bed , covering my ears, unable to sleep, wondering what on earth could be SO IMPORTANT!
Finally the knocking subsided. Because it had stopped, I became curious.
Why had it stopped, even though at the time It felt like a constant noise in my heart and ear, I missed it.
Would it ever come again?
I spent many a day and night wondering where it was, maybe I should answer the door next time?
Sitting at home one evening. It came again.
Tap, tap. Gentle.
Slowly , I stood up. The suspense no longer able to contain itself. I reached for the door, and pulled it open.
There stood Jesus, smiling, and arms open wide.
‘Come in, come in come!’ I said.
He smiled.’ I have been waiting so long to hear you say that.’

Maybe you do not feel prepared for Jesus to visit, you haven’t had time to prepare. It wasn’t expected. He is not looking to come into a tidy, clean home. He is not expecting a gourmet meal waiting for him. All he asks is you let him in, let him into your life, and in return you will be let into his.
He is the best visitor you will ever let in.
A life long friend, forever.

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