Use the Door!

“Truly, truly, I say to you, he who does not enter the sheepfold by the door but climbs in by another way, that man is a thief and a robber. But he who enters by the door is the shepherd of the sheep. To him the gatekeeper opens. The sheep hear his voice, and he calls his own sheep by name and leads them out. When he has brought out all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him, for they know his voice…

“I am the door of the sheep. All who came before me are thieves and robbers, but the sheep did not listen to them. I am the door. If anyone enters by me, he will be saved and will go in and out and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly…

“I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand.” John 10:1-4,7-10,28-29

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
    and do not lean on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him,
    and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Jesus’s listeners were well familiar with the imagery of sheep, doors (gates), and shepherds. He attaches their concepts of ownership, leadership, and tending to His spiritual role in their lives. He was the only One by whom they would find sustenance, security, and fulfillment. Any other way or guide would lead them astray to life bereft of hope. His invitation came by way of clear comparisons of both means and ends, leaving them to decide whom they would follow.

Every day we have this same choice. We may wander near the door to the good shepherd’s sheepfold, curious but reluctant, drawn by love but repelled by innate rebellion. Steps of faith are required to admit the folly of following another to destruction. Would we leave our pride and willful resistance to enter the Gate that is our Savior?

For those in Christ, we too have choices. Arising from sleep, we decide how to enter the day. Will we turn first thoughts to Him, spend time seeking the Lord through His word and prayer, saturating ourselves with truth, God’s perspective on work and relationships and character? Or will we burst out of the gate, driving our own set direction and pace, in our strength? Who leads our agenda and route?

Challenges and conundrums require alertness to pitfalls, wisdom, proper information and dress. If we skirt the Lord’s perspective, heed foreign voices, detour from obedience, refuse holy methods, or stubbornly insist on our own path, we will likely suffer loss.

Surrounded by the world’s death and destruction, why would we evade the Lord’s way to abundant life? Considering the door that is Jesus, and deliberately entering through Him every morning, for each appointment and interaction and effort, will yield rich pasture. Would I set aside sneaky detours, tend to rusty hinges, and realign with Him?

Lord, help me enter each day through the door that is You, to further Your will and magnify Your glory.