While the swallow penthouse suite hangs expectantly from the ceiling outside my bedroom door on my verandah, waiting for the Spring return of its builders, all is not what it seems. Squatters have moved in! Seeing the open door to this masterpiece of building engineering by two dedicated and master builders, opportunists took residence in the currently unoccupied residence. These squatters have feathered their own nest indoors and made it cosy for themselves. Who are these squatters? None other than a pair of sparrows! They are very excited as they make ready the habitation they themselves never built and the endless chatter and bringing in of dry straw is soon to be followed by an increase in residents inside the home of the swallows. Eggs laid, the nesting begins and all is a-flutter in the penthouse corner.
As I watch these proceedings, I wonder if the babies will have hatched and departed before the rightful owners return from the Northern Hemisphere? And what will be the attitude of the swallows as they discover that their home was illegally inhabited while they were away? We will have to wait and see.
Pondering the open door status of the unattended penthouse, set my mind wondering, as I settled for a ‘Sitting in His Presence’ scheduled meditation. The flow of thoughts was intense and the journal penned. How dare the sparrows enter into the house of the swallows? It’s just not right. But secretly I kind of admired their spunk. In my Collins Dictionary the word spunk is described as “informal courage.” They are so small. But they are also vocal, energetic and a whole lot cheeky. I could sort of identify somehow and began turning to the Bible as I read in the Gospels how the disciples spent most of their time behind locked doors after Jesus was crucified, because they were afraid that they would be next to be hanged on a cross. But Jesus was not going to be stopped by their locked doors or their fearful demeanour. He simply suddenly stood amongst them! They were off course thrilled at His appearance and saw His wounds from the crucifixion. Then He did not stay with them in order to remain with them behind locked doors. He did the opposite. They would have to open the doors and leave their safe place and go out into the world and tell of what they had witnessed. But He did not merely give them instructions, He gave them His authority and the way in which He did it is so very profound! He did not give them a degree or a diploma or unbelievable knowledge or increased their appearance to be more handsome or beautiful. No, He breathed on them. Replacing a locked door for an open door in God’s Kingdom, comes by the very breath of God. His Holy Spirit.
If the door to your heart is locked and therefore you are unable to receive the fullness and the goodness and salvation of God, ask Jesus to breathe on you and then by faith receive Him. The Christan life can be so rich if you open the door to Christ and receive the creativity that becomes spontaneous and then shine where you have been planted. Be consistent in your relationship to God, but be not unyielding by pouring yourself into your own little ways or ‘this is how we’ve always done things’ restrictive doctrines. Some of us, myself included, need to be blasted out of our own preconceived ideas before we can become fully devoted to Jesus Christ. I asked myself : Rita, are you absolutely devoted to Christ Jesus? Off course I wanted to respond : Off course I am! Even with attitude. But I decided to continue in meditation and give the honest response : No, Rita is not totally devoted to Christ. But this was not condemnation, it was a revival. Now, I have these revival meetings a lot. And they are so transforming. Be honest. Unlock the door and allow Christ in and become devoted to Him.
“Look! I have been standing at the door and I AM constantly knocking. If anyone hears Me calling him and opens the door, I will come in and fellowship with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3 : 20 Living Bible.
“Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me” Revelation 3 : 20 English Standard Version.
What are you waiting for?
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