“When the Lord closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” As I remember the line by Maria (played by Julie Andrews) in ‘The Sound of Music’, I cannot help but think of the many doors that have closed and the windows that have opened within my life so far. Recently, I have experienced doors closing such as an internship not coming to fruition, finishing university and facing the rejection (thus far) of employers, and soon, closing the door on being single and opening the window to married life. Furthermore, there were two jobs I was guaranteed for, but after much prayer and thought, the door closed on these options as I was moved in another direction. This is just a snapshot of some immediate instances where doors have been closed and windows have started to open.
Similarly, another window of opportunity has since arisen within the last week as I sat next to a woman on a train who was lovely and talkative. We discussed my future ambitions of working within the charity sector (in particular, international development), when she revealed that she worked in the charity sector and wanted to meet with me further to discuss this. My soul subtleley smiled to the Lord as I had been praying earlier that day about my next steps. Of course, I do not presume to say that this window will be wide open. It could be another closed door. However, I have come to realise that all of this talk of ‘doors and windows’ is meaningless unless it is founded on the rock.
Founded on the rock? Well, every house/building should have a firm foundation or its doors and windows would have no place at all, as the house/building would be unstable. Therefore, my closed doors and open windows have no place if they are not founded on firm, stable ground. This can be explained through the words of Jesus when He spoke of the wise and foolish builders in Matthew 7: 24-27:
24 “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 25 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had its foundation on the rock. 26 But everyone who hears these words of mine and does not put them into practice is like a foolish man who built his house on sand. 27 The rain came down, the streams rose, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell with a great crash.”
Jesus says that those that listen to Him and act upon what they hear are wise, whereas those who hear Him but do not act are foolish. Thus, if I listen to the Lord and act upon His teaching, I am like the wise builder. The doors and windows in themselves mean nothing, unless I am listening and obeying the voice of God. God has the plan. No matter how many doors close. He has the power and authority to open windows and close doors. I will be confident in His timing as He directs my steps. If I listen to Him and follow His Word by reading the bible, praying, and seeking Him in all I do, He will make my path straight (Proverbs 3:6). Jesus is the Rock – the firm foundation.
Psalm 18: 2 – ‘The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.’
An Anchored Hope 