Selena Gomez- The Prophetess

I sang a song growing up in church about Jesus standing at the door and knocking:

Behold, behold, I stand at the door and knock

Behold, behold, I stand at the door and knock, knock, knock

If anyone hear my voice if anyone hear my voice and will open open open the door

I will come in

All you good church going folks will be humming the tune the rest of the day.

The thing is, I had always understood that song and the passage from whence it was derived to apply to “sinners” or those who had not already answered the call of Christ.

What is rather, (disturbingly) interesting for me is, John wrote that verse in Revelation, as a plea to the Church.  This information I did not discover on my own, but a dear friend of mine revealed to me at the end of last year.  I was shocked.  And almost incredulous. How dare someone attack my childhood Sunday school song and claim my understanding of it was inaccurate!!?

But indeed, when I myself looked at the passage I could not deny the truth of the context.  The thing is, my previous (mis)understanding of the verse was not “bad” and I do believe Christ beckons each and every one of us to him. God is working in and through all things that we may behold His glory and praise His name.  The problem with my understanding is it set ME apart from everyone else.  As if my door was already wide open just emmanting with the presence of Christ.  Ah contrare.

So how, might you ask could one who has “believed” in Christ be on the other side of a closed door?

I allow so many things to get in the way of Christ. So. Many. Things.

Even things that are an attempt to be “closer” to Him can sometimes take the place OF Him. I begin worshipping the process. The system. The order in which things are supposed to be done because the Bible tells me so. Or everyone else around me seems to be doing them and appear to be further ahead. And all the while Jesus waits… knocks… waits and says, “When you’re ready, come and get it.”  This life abundant that I promised, the one with no strings attached. The life where law does not bind you, where the Spirit leads you in complete and total FREEDOM.  Where it isn’t your job to make sure everyone around you is upholding Biblical morals but your life is an overflow of love and people can’t help but WANT what you have. Nor is it your job to compare where you are to where someone else is.

Selena might truly be the mouthpeice of God- even if she doesn’t know it.  I have blocked Him out in an effort to know Him more. In my own strength.  By my own power. Striving, trying. Implementing new programs, new studies. Reading the latest books and new ways to pray, study, meditate, serve. And I’m not downplaying those or saying they haven’t been useful in allowing people to grow in their relationship with Christ. But when those “tools” become my focus I start to rely on them to save me instead of my Savior. I become superior minded. I think I somehow have this faith thing all figured out because my system is so very “godly”. Church attendance- check. Quiet times… eh.. read my Bible- check.  Pray without ceasing… uh, talk to God when I need help- check.  Attend Bible study- check. Give money- check.  My task list is complete and I sit smugly closed up in my holy home all the while Jesus wonders when He can come in and visit. And if I’m really honest, who is it really for? My checklist means that I can prove to others I’m on the straight and narrow. Others can see my good works. I can earn the praise of others when it appears I can achieve this thing called the “Christian life”.

It is so much more manageable and controllable when my faith is a check list. And for the majority of my walk, I haven’t been “ready”.  I like what is secure, comfortable and easy. Jesus was and is anything BUT.

He lived and loved radically. His words and actions were jaw dropping for those who had this faith thing all figured out. He was led by God and guided by love.  Which are really one in the same.

He was unpredictable yet always true to His word. This Jesus knocks. On the hearts of those who have become chillingly cold. Who have accepted the truth but then run with it in (my) their own strength to produce a “super” Christian façade so everyone can see how godly (I am) they are. Shivering in (my)  their dismal home wondering why it seems so hard most times and where is the abundance I was promised?  

“When you’re ready, Jesus says, Come and get it.”

I think I’m ready. I’m ready to drop my tools. I want Him to lead always. I want my door to be wide open willing to take whatever step He asks me to take.  To join Him on an abundant, unpredictable adventure. Trusting He’s got it. He always has. He has overcome. And He who has overcome the world LIVES IN ME.

I want to live like I truly believe that. And stop closing him out with all of my “religious” practices.