A closed door means change directions
"He will direct your paths." - Proverbs 3:6 (NIV)
How many times have we said, "If God would just open the door."
God is the opener of doors, but he is also the closer of them. I have found in my life that my biggest direction has come during times of closed doors.
I remember the first time I realized this. I was reflecting on my life and was feeling so rejected. My health was starting to fail me and the person I thought I was going to be with the rest of my life backed out of the commitment. I wondered what I was going to do.
I was listening to a Christian radio station and I heard the woman say, "Disappointment is his appointment."
Pondering those words I thought to myself, "Could this be true?"
The rest was history. Within a year I met my husband.
The next closed door came when I was no longer able to work. My 18 years as a nurse were behind me. What would I do now? I had so much loss and I felt so sick.
But during my prayer time I heard God say, "Write." After that message, many new directions came. I started to learn that rejection means redirection.
Jesus experienced closed doors in his life, even before he was born.
When the birth of Jesus was imminent, his father, Joseph, approached the innkeeper for a place to stay, but he was turned down. It was perfectly clear there was no room at the inn for them there (Luke 2:7 NIV). But wait, they were directed to the stable with a manger. God opened another door.
Looking back, I can see God weaving continual opportunities in and out of my life, all because of closed doors.
If doors seem to be slamming shut in your life - doors that don't appear to open no matter how hard you kick and scream - it could be possible that a loving God is directing you to a new way for your life. One that can only come through closed doors.
• Annettee Budzban is a Christian author, speaker, life coach and nurse. She will be speaking at Panera Bread Friday, May 20, at 6 p.m. in Round Lake Beach. Annettee can be contacted at (847) 543-8413 or Annetteebudzban@aol.