Sitting with the Lord this morning and this verse that He planted in my heart this week. He has “placed before me an open door…” It took me a minute to remember where to find it and there it was in the last book of the Bible. I’ve been in consistent prayer about this time of transition in my life. I’ve contemplated the consequences of a major decision that has been on my heart lately. I’ve had some angst about the future and the direction that the Holy Spirit is calling me to. My prayer was to get to a place of peace about it all. However, one thing for sure when you are being called out of your comfort zone, there’s typically not a lot of peace surrounding it. There’s the unknown, the uncontrollable, the severing of attachments and the emotional upheaval to name a few of the stressors surrounding major life decisions. All things that can consume all the positive energy out of exciting new possibilities for the future. I’m thankful that I  have experienced enough to know that I need to trust the Lord  and not my own inclinations to provide that perfect place of security in life transitions. Which brings me to this verse the Lord laid on my heart from the Word…

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

It’s interesting that this verse is in the last book of the Bible. Revelations feels so final and is often perceived as the final chapter in our story on earth. But if you read the book in its entirety, it concludes with all things becoming new. Rather than a finale, it is the beginning of the new thing. This revelation offers so many promises to me at this juncture in my journey. In this verse, I find the confirmation I need to move forward out of my comfort zone to the future I’m being called to. Grieving the loss of someone we love can feel so final, almost like a termination of dreams. Stephen and I had plans for our future. We had goals we’d set for our lives. They included us retiring together and traveling to see more of the world together. They included expanding our businesses and affording others opportunities for gainful employment. He was a major player in our dreams. So coming to the realization that the “us” is no longer a part of my journey forward is awakening and unalterable. And it is what it is. No longer both of us pursuing our dreams together. How devastatingly alarming that thought is to me. 

Unless…

I allow the Holy Spirit to minister new dreams to my heart.

Unless…

I shift my eyes from the closed door to the open door.

Unless…

I arise and embrace the new possibilities that await me.

Unless…

I completely lean on Jesus in my weakness, travail and grief trusting Him to revive me again. 

I haven’t been here at this particular place before in my journey. You know, losing the love of my life. But I have been in a place of loss, brokenness and depression that only God could’ve brought me out of. Only God could illuminate the dark places of despair that I’ve been through with the  light of His presence. Only He could cause the grave of self destruction to cough me up and place my feet on solid ground. Only He could give me the power to defeat the demonic forces that threatened to destroy me and cause me to live again. Only God could totally resurrect me again and again and again. He is the true constant motivating force within my life. So I will walk toward and through this open door that He has set before me even in my grief. With little strength, I will lean on his everlasting arms. With confidence and abiding trust, I will not deny His name and I will proclaim His glory so that others may come to trust Him and know Him intimately. There’s so much more of God to know. I’m being called by His Spirit to deeper depths and higher heights in Him. I accept the call. Lord I believe!

Just sharing my morning musings and a little of my evolving testimony. Praying we will begin to accept the call to go deeper. We can trust the Lord with our whole life. The good, the bad and the ugly! He will continue to prove Himself to us. Only believe! 

“I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NIV‬‬

“I see what you’ve done. Now see what I’ve done. I’ve opened a door before you that no one can slam shut. You don’t have much strength, I know that; you used what you had to keep my Word. You didn’t deny me when times were rough.” Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭MSG‬‬

“I know all the things you do, and I have opened a door for you that no one can close. You have little strength, yet you obeyed my word and did not deny me.” Revelation‬ ‭3:8‬ ‭NLT‬‬