The Door

“I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.” – John 10:9 NKJV

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 by Elaine Tietz

 

A tour of Israel. A life-long dream come true. Bible stories coming to life. Walking where Jesus walked. Getting baptized in the Jordan. In a boat on Lake Galilee. Watching a shepherd call his sheep by name, one by one.

 

No, I’ve never been there, but I’ve seen photos and heard the unforgettable stories from dear friends. The most vivid story was told by my friend Ruth. She had seen this verse come to life when their tour guide took them to a sheepfold where she saw the enclosure had no door until the shepherd made his bed in the opening, keeping outsiders from coming in and keeping his sheep safe inside.

 

As I reflected on her story, I recognized that seeing Jesus as The Door has been a very meaningful part of my relationship with Him. He has been my open door to new life, a release from darkness, and an entrance into eternal security.

 

He protects my heart from invasion. He prepares a place for me to come in and spend time with Him. When He reveals to me something I need to change, He invites me to let Him help me be set free from my bondage.

To be set free from my bondage of ‘70s women’s lib thinking was a big one! Bob and I had been married for 10 years when I committed my life to Christ. My top priority was for him to share in the glorious assurance of eternal life with me.

 

But there was a Scripture that was hard for me to swallow, “Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands, so that, if any of them do not believe the word,they may be won without words by the behavior of their wives, when they see the purity and reverence of their wives.” (I Peter 3:1-2)

 

My first reaction was, “He wants me to be a doormat!” I knew that wouldn’t work. I kept wrangling over it, protesting, grumbling, murmuring…until I stayed quiet and I saw a door. He didn’t want me to be a doormat.

 

He wanted me to be a doorway for Bob!

 

At last I was set free from the bondage of worldly priority, having my stubborn heart turned soft and pliable in His loving hands.

 

However, I wasn’t miraculously changed into a loving, submissive wife and it wasn’t a matter of days before Bob came to Christ. The truth is that it took years for the transformation in both our lives to fully take place.

 

When I confessed to my pastor my frustration with my stop-and-start progress, he tenderly reminded me of Paul’s words, “…I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances.” (Philippians 4:11) He stressed the word “learned” and encouraged me to see that even Paul’s transformation took time.

 

Jesus continues to close me in with Him for security and training as well as going before me as He leads me forward, widening my horizons. He is The Door and I am forever grateful.

The Door

by Elaine Tietz

 

Come in, I AM the Bread of Life

Feast on My Word

Drink in My Grace

Sleep in My Rest, relieved from all strife.

Go out, I AM the Light of the World

Open your mouth with words of revelation

Open your arms with endless compassion

March in My Shadow, the banner of Love unfurled.

Come enter in, I AM the Good Shepherd

Bring with you the wounded and lost

The rebellious and the confused

Ask Me to lead you to those who haven’t heard.

Go out, I AM the Resurrection and the Life

Reach out to all the world

Technology is Mine, there is no limit to who you can reach

Let My Resurrection power cut through doubt like a knife.

Come in, I AM the True Vine

The Holy Spirit is the sap flowing from Me

To you, the branch, the fruit bearer

You bring me delight, I’m glad you are Mine.

Go out, I AM the Way, the Truth and the Life

You know the secret I’m trusting you to reveal

For all to come to know Me as their Savior

Invite them to enter The Door, take them by the hand

Each one I place in your life.