This morning the usual sound of birds can be heard out our back patio door. Their singing, mixed with sounds from the street, blend to form a cacophony comforting and familiar. Serving reminder that God is in the city and has blessed it all. With the door wide open I allow the sounds in - and someone, driving by, honks - to tell me they agree.
Tomorrow my message is titled the 'Door of Opportunity,' and I wonder how it might apply. I have forsaken some doors of such - but, of late, have begun walking through more.
Was Johnny Appleseed real or a fable? Born John Chapman in 1774, he was a pioneer nurseryman and conservationist who gave Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois - the upper midwest - and subsequently all of America, the gift of nursery apples and their trees. For our application he is remembered for planting seeds, from which fruit might come that he might never live to see - a person who walked through the door of opportunity and is credited for teaching us the nature of thrift, conservation and Christian kindness to us all.
As in Johnny's time, we have been given more than we know. Our situations are not nearly so harsh or remorseful when viewed historically rather than from want. We are so 'short-sighted'. Has TV done this? Perhaps so, but I think the real problem is not HOW but WHAT we've become. Doors connecting and bettering others are to to be opened and walked through in our time, too. If we don't do this, if we just stay inside and turn on our TV's and computers, without opening the 'patio doors', we simply abet the problem and abate its solution.
So whether you start silently with coffee or abruptly with noise, open the door today of the place you've been sent to. Walk through this door of opportunity with the good news of Christ. Plant seeds of the gospel that you might not live to see grow. But... trust God that His gift to you will certainly be your gift to all - your door of opportunity in Him.
"I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut! Revelation 3:8a
