What’s Behind the Door?
Often, God speaks through pictures/imagery.
Today I woke up seeing in my mind a door with some words on it. God showed me that most read the words and afterward keep walking - forgetting what they just read or satisfied with surface meaning.
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing. ~ James 1:22–25
Scripture is like words on the front of a door. All the doors are locked, and you can read the words on the front. The surface.
But there’s so much MORE behind the door!
To unlock it, you only need to stop and ask the Doorkeeper. He will be swift (and a bit excited) to unlock the door and let you in.
YOU are what He’s been waiting for.
Inside, what will you find? Treasures! You will see colors and pictures and meaning. You may find yourself as a kid seeing fireworks for the first time!
What does this imagery mean? You can read the words on the page of your Bible or phone screen, but if you keep on walking afterward — to get on with your day — you will miss the wonder and treasure that lies behind the words and phrases of verses.
Remember, the Word of God is ALIVE and BREATHING!
Do you want to know God? I mean, REALLY know Him? Hold this book with care. Expect to see God when you open it.
Stop! Don’t be in such a hurry to get on with your day. Don’t read a whole chapter at a time. I’m not talking to those committed to reading the Bible in a year. You’re on a mission! And it’s a GOOD mission!
I’m talking to those of you who are bored. You read scripture, and it feels like any other book to you. I’ve been there! Loss of passion. Lethargic and apathetic toward the things of God.
The key
Understanding that the Bible is alive and breathing fresh life into anyone who reads it is what creates that sense of awe and wonder.
You can be sure that, even if you don’t feel or sense anything when you read the Word of God, His Word is still working in YOU.
Holding onto that truth (believing anyway) is the mark of a mature believer.
But if you don’t read the Word of God, you won’t benefit or grow as quickly as you would have otherwise.
That doesn’t mean God can’t work in you if you don’t read the Bible, but you won’t recognize God if you keep His Word on the shelf. The Bible tells you WHO God is and who WE are in relation to Him.
God will still work in your life because He loves you (even if you ignore Him!); you just won’t see what He’s doing — and then God will feel distant to you, when in fact, He didn’t go anywhere.
You just turned your head away from His face. He’s still as close as He was before.
For God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.” ~ Hebrews 13:5 [ESV]
Turn your head slightly, and you’ll see Him again — smiling at you!
Every soul longs for connection with its Creator. It’s in our DNA!
Read the Psalms, the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John), 1 John (the words of God’s love for you), Acts (the adventures that happened after Jesus rose from the dead), or the richness of the book of Romans! Did you know that Romans 8 is the whole gospel in one chapter?
You can practice your connection with God and His presence in my 30-Day Challenge Prayer Journal that focuses on Romans 8, or pick up some other tools on my website for free! I recommend the One-Page Journal, or Waking Up Your Prayer Life (a free ebook).
To summarize, take one verse and ask God to open the door to what He wants to say to you. You’ll feel more connection with God when you wait on Him. If not right away, you will. Don’t give up on God — He’s never given up on you.
Happy reading! Or maybe I should say Happy exploring — connecting — discovering — growing — ENJOYING!
