wide open (adj): fully accessible, obtainable, expansive 

“We throw open our doors to God and discover at the same moment that he has already thrown open his door to us…” Romans 5:2 MSG

 Some people do “throw open their doors” to God. Assured and decisive, they wholeheartedly embrace their new life with him all at once.

 Many of my Christian friends and I, however, were a little more hesitant at first. Instead of throwing open our doors with a confident, joyous welcome, we invited Jesus in with a bit of caution.

Cracking open our doors might be a better description.

 I wasn’t sure how this whole “becoming a Christian” thing was going to work out for me when I was a self-absorbed teenager.

 “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all of these things will be added unto you.” Matthew 6:33 ESV was the message that sent my heart pounding. It sounded awfully daunting–putting Jesus ahead of everything else that mattered to me.

 Would I have to give up all the things that I depended on?

Might friends or family reject me?

What if he wants me to become a missionary to Africa or something?

 I liked my little world, my people, and my plans. It seemed fine the way it was.

 But I’m so, so thankful that pounding heart inside of me cracked that door of mine enough to let Jesus come in. Because when I opened up to Jesus, I found that he truly had “…already thrown open his doors” to me.

 The passage goes on:

“We find ourselves standing where we always hoped we might stand–out in the wide open spaces of God’s grace and glory, standing tall and shouting our praise. There’s more to come: We continue to shout our praise even when we’re hemmed in with troubles, because we know how troubles can develop passionate patience in us, and how that patience in turn forges the tempered steel of virtue, keeping us alert for whatever God will do next. In alert expectancy such as this, we’re never left feeling shortchanged. Quite the contrary–we can’t round up enough containers to hold everything God generously pours into our lives through the Holy Spirit!” Romans 5:2-5 MSG

 When God threw open his doors to me, my little, fine world transformed. Experiencing the wide-open spaces of God’s glory was so much better than I could have ever imagined. I would never have hesitated if I had known.

 I get to stand tall instead of staying small and scared.

I get to run free instead of being confined to the lies that I used to believe.

I get to have real and lasting hope that even the hardest things are not wasted when Jesus is in charge of my life.

 We don’t get shortchanged.

 The indescribable joy he brings, the unconditional acceptance and love he pours upon us, the peace and strength he supplies no matter what we face–it’s more than our hearts can possibly hold.

Invite Him In

Living in your own world can sometimes seem like it’s enough. But if you will crack–or better yet, throw–open the doors of your heart to him, you will find so much more. Little and fine can be exchanged for wide open and amazing–overflowing with everything you need and more than you could ever dream of.