Open Doors

We have a life change ahead of us, and as far as we can see it can go one of two ways.  We are at peace with which ever way it goes, which is causing us to really have to look for the open doors.  Normally if I am faced with more than one option I look for the doubts and I know that that is not the direction I need to go in and I go with the direction of peace. But in this current situation there are seem to be a few open doors and none that are closing. The doors that are closed lead us to believe that we need to move in a certain direction. But if we choose to move in that direction we know that there is a mountain directly in front of us that we will need to climb. So do we choose to climb the mountain, or stay in the valley and continue to wander.

The children of Israel wandered for 40 years in the desert, even though they were so close to the Promised Land they wandered because of their lack of faith. They doubted and complained, gripped and belly-ached, made false idols and lived in sin, and because of this they wandered aimlessly, so close to all that they were promised if they would have just believed and put their trust and faith in God.

I don’t feel that we are not trusting in God, in fact we continually are asking for guidance and for a clear path. We are looking at all the open doors. So which one do we walk through? Do we go with the mountain? The mountain that we know we will have trials and tribulations and a fight laying ahead of us, or do we wait. That is what we are facing.

James 1 states that (vs1-4)”when troubles of any kind come you way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. Do you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.” (vs 12)”God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love Him.”.

I have been thinking on this verse today, this is an opportunity for great joy, but at what cost.  It’s not just a decision that affects just me and my husband, it affects my whole family and a lot of people. It will bring us joy in the long run if the mountain is dealt with the way we desire, but if not, there will be a greater challenge ahead. Is the path of trial and tribulation the greater path or the path of least resistance.

Matthew 9:29 states, “According to your faith, so be it unto you” and James 1:6-7 states “But when you ask Him, be sure that your your faith is in God alone. Do not waver, for a person with divided loyalty is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind. Such people should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.” And  Psalms 37:4 says to “take delight in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart” which leads me to one of my favorite verses Isaiah 60:22 that states that “when the time is right, I the Lord will make it happen”.

The mountain that lies ahead of us, if the outcome is in fact the answer to a certain prayer, then we will have been given the desires of our heart. My faith in God alone to have the power and might and ability to answer my prayer has not wavered, I just have not been able to see HOW it could be answered because of the avenues that I tried before failed. So maybe, this is God nudging me, us, to make a move to fully trust in Him to do what only HE can do in a situation that seems impossible.

So why the hesitation, why the fear? The Bible states numerous times “be strong and courageous”, God is with us. So why are we hesitating? Because we aren’t sure if the time IS right. We aren’t positive that this is the avenue we need to go down and if we pursue it and it fails, then what. What’s next?

Is this truly the path that God is calling us to walk? We think so, but  we aren’t 100% positive, maybe like 85%. And truthfully, we have a time frame that things really need to happen in, and we aren’t sure if they will be able to come to fruition in that time frame. But then again, we are taking it out of the hands of God if we think that way.

So our prayer is for doors to open, doors to close, and the cloud by day and fire by night. The clear direction. Give us the flashing runway lights Lord, guide us and lead us in the direction that will fulfill YOUR will, not ours Lord. Let Your will be done in us and through us.