Behind Closed Doors

Ever say: “I’m waiting for doors to open”, meaning a job opportunity, or patiently waiting for a store to open its doors, or the cash windfall that you could sure use that’s behind those closed doors?

Remember when we placed our hands and fingers in a position to show “Here’s the church; here’s the steeple.” Then we’d turn our hands and fingers up and say: “Open the doors and there’s the people!”

Goodness! Memories. Remember the many doors that were closed during the pandemic? Doors of our churches, businesses, and schools were closed. Even our homes’ doors were closed to avoid anyone coming in that might be carrying that contagious disease.

In a matter of time, doors started opening. Before long, there were open-door policies put into place. Then there are those of us who pray for doors to open for that answer to our prayers in faith.

But when we limit ourselves to open doors, we overlook the opportunities afforded by the blessing of what takes place behind closed doors.

Behind closed doors has sort of a sketchy connotation. Private meetings take place behind closed doors where people want to protect their privacy and confidentiality. Or, in the case of the disciples after Jesus was killed, behind closed doors meant protection from prying eyes, listening ears, and even facing their own deaths.

Now, let’s flip the script. On a sweet, positive, and beautiful note, being behind closed doors also means we can find solitude, sanctuary, and stillness. “Be still, and know that I am God,” the Bible tells us (Psalm 46:10).

Miraculous, transformative, and holy things often take place behind closed doors. Only in the quiet tranquility of resting in the arms of God can we discover the depths of His love for us. Only behind closed doors can we experience the soothing balm of peace afforded by the Spirit’s embrace.

When we have nowhere left to turn, we can discover an awareness of God’s presence in our midst. Behind closed doors were the disciples after Jesus had been crucified. By being His followers, would they be next on crosses? The resurrection had them in a quandary. Was He alive or is this some emotional woman’s imagination?

The truth for them, and it is for us — Jesus has ALWAYS been with them AND us, all along. God has a gift for us behind closed doors. Don’t believe me? After Jesus’ resurrection, Jesus appeared to His disciples not before an open door but behind a closed door: “That evening, the disciples gathered. And because they were afraid of repercussions from the Jewish leaders, they had locked the doors to the place where they met. But suddenly Jesus appeared among them and said, ‘Peace be to you!’” (John 20:19)

That PEACE is for us, too! But not necessarily behind closed doors. That peace is ours amid evening traffic, in the dread of a negative diagnosis, in our children’s over-zealous antics, in our spirit when we are crushed with defeat and disappointment. Those are the times when with all out sprinting, we hasten to dwell “behind closed doors” – maybe not directly, but figuratively. God will meet us there.

“Those who live in the shelter of the Most High, will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare about the LORD: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; He is my God, and I trust Him.” Psalm 91:1,2