NEXT DOOR

Have you thanked Him?

Have you praised Him?

Have you made it your priority to agree and cooperate with Him today?

Have you taken that deep breath and listened for what He has for you today?

1 Timothy 2:1 (The Message)

The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know.

"When one door closes another door opens; but we so often look so long and so regretfully upon the closed door, that we do not see the ones which open for us.” ~Alexander Graham Bell

I was having a conversation with an amazing young lady recently.  She is resilient, smart, energized, and motivated.  She is a PROBLEM SOLVER!  And yes, while she has some amazing credentialing to back up that PROBLEM SOLVER TAG, it is her discerning heart and spirit that makes her much more than her training.

But as sometimes happens, even the problem solvers get puzzled.

And that was the case the other day when I received a text asking that I just give her a call; that she needed a little encouragement. 

The backstory is that she and I along with some other equally gifted young ladies are working on ways to engage the CHURCH in this opiate epidemic MORE effectively via a faith-centric Recovery Community Organization for Franklin County.

Defined: A Recovery Community Organization is an independent, non-profit, led and governed by people in recovery, family members, friends, and allies who effort to mobilize resources within and outside of the recovery community to make it possible for those still struggling with addiction to find long-term recovery.

The motivating force behind these sorts of organizations, collaboratives and facilities comes from a quote from recovery historian, William White, 

Many of us have carried a message of hope on a one-to-one basis; this new recovery movement calls upon us to carry that message of hope to WHOLE communities and the WHOLE culture. It is time we stepped forward to shape this history with our stories, our time, and our talents. 

We are trying to inspire and open these in MANY communities across the state right now.

But back to my friend and her text.

My friend is a firm believer in CONFIRMATIONS.  She has an attuned ear and eye for them and she is deeply prayerful and obedient.  So often the LORD, like the LORD promises, affirms her obedience and prayers with open doors and evident confirmations.

But this day was a little different.

She had shared with our little team a little vision of the land where this proposed RCO (Recovery Community Organization) was to reside and after seeing it, seeing it was for sale, she approach the PASTOR, yes, I said PASTOR who owned the land.

Much to her surprise and deep disappointment, what she thought was a “slam dunk” confirmation, was anything but.  She was presented with a CLOSED door and not just a CLOSED door, but a brutally honest, rejecting, and slammed door.  This PASTOR had no desire to allow his land to serve the addicted nor was he about to bring “those folks” into his plans nor discuss her “vision” any further.

Needless to say, she was a little devastated and hurt by the soundness of the rejection. 

Yet as we unpacked the disappointing discussion, I was reminded of the quote from that outset of today’s OFH, “When one door closes another door opens” and that we should not dwell too long on the closed door or the circumstances behind its closure regardless of how myopic and misguided the rejection, but rather TRUST GOD that the NEXT OPEN door will be BETTER!

Our JOB now is to just keep asking, just keep praying. 

GOD will open the door when the time is right.

“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. – Matthew 7:7 (ESV)

I know you can see where I am going today.

Even the most faithful among us suffer disappointment and rejection.  

And yes, it hurts when doors are slammed in our face.  But don’t dwell on them. 

Rather get back to prayerful asking and prayerful seeking. 

GOD will honor the asking and present a new door!

“I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough. Revelation 3:8 (MSG)

Have a blessed day!

I love you all.

OPPORTUNITIES for HOPE