Closed Doors

The permanently closed door at the top of the stairs held an irresistible fascination for us. What was behind the closed door? What deep dark family secrets were shut in that room? Why was there a hook-and-eye latch at the very top of the door…on the outside of the door? Was something or someone living in that room or being held prisoner? 

These were some of the many whispered questions we would ask one another when our families gathered for holidays at the old farmhouse. We (the cousins) would sneak up the stairs and then carefully inspect the closed door to see if there were any new scratches, claw marks, or evidence of having been opened since our last visit and examination of the old door. Then we would gather in the bedroom across the hall. Sitting cross-legged and scrunched together on the sagging double bed, we’d discuss our theories and invent wild stories about the room behind the closed door. 

Sure, we could have asked Granny about the locked door and the room’s contents but that would have destroyed the illusion of mystery. No fun in that.

Closed Doors are Thought-Provoking.

They pique our curiosity. They create questions. They make us wonder if we are missing out on something good, special, or exciting that doesn’t exist on our side of the closed door. Closed doors can make us feel excluded, unwanted, and left behind.

Closed doors are compelling, especially if we thought they were open to us. What appeared to be an open door to a writing opportunity, a speaking tour, a book contract, or a high-profile publishing agent turned out to be a closed door. Securely, decidedly shut. Closed and locked.

Cue the onset of disappointment, depression, feelings of rejection, and even resentment. 

We need to rethink the way we look at closed doors. Scripture provides insightful perspective:

• Because of man’s corruption, God tasked righteous Noah with the enormous task of building an Ark. Once completed, God told Noah to take his family, the animals, and many creatures he had gathered into the Ark. After seven days, God shut the door. (Genesis 6:8-7:16)

Behind the massive closed door of the Ark was safety, deliverance, salvation, and a hope-filled future.  

• Before the tenth plague in Egypt, the Israelites were instructed to place the blood of a lamb on the lintel and two side posts of the door. After entering their homes, the door was to be closed. No one was to leave their home lest they suffer the same fate as the Egyptians – the death of the firstborn (Exodus 12).

Behind the blood-surrounded Closed Door was safety, life, hope, deliverance, and celebration of the first Passover. 

• A widow’s two sons were to be taken as slaves because of the family’s penniless state and mountain of debts. The Prophet Elisha instructed the family to borrow as many empty vessels as possible, enter their home, and shut the door. Behind the closed door, they were to fill the vessels with their only valuable — a single jar of oil. Miraculously, the oil filled all the vessels, which were then sold to pay off the debt and support the family (2 Kings 4). 

Behind the Closed Door was obedience, provision, sustenance, and the means to save the widow’s sons from slavery.

Closed Doors are Opportunities.

We may see closed doors as failures, opportunities lost, and even punishment. When often, closed doors are the opportunities! 

God is working great things in you, around you, and for you behind that closed door. 

When God shuts the door, you can be certain that His protection, blessings, and spiritual growth are on your side of the closed door. 

When God closes the door on what looked to you like a great opportunity, you can be sure that it was not God’s best for you at that moment – maybe later, maybe never – but not at that moment!

When it seems that a door has been closed and you don’t understand why, have a conversation with your Father on your side of that closed door. (Matthew 6:6)

• Ask for patience.
• Ask for awareness and understanding of the work that He is doing in you.
• Express your gratitude for the certainty that He is with you always – door open or closed.

Questions:  How have you seen God work on your side of a closed door?