Soon after I moved to Eudora on July 1st of 2016, Jeremiah Holcomb gave a two-fold challenge to the church. First, he asked us to hold annual neighborhood ice cream parties in August. Second, he asked us to share our excitement at being significant members of The Refuge Family. I created invitations and went from door to door in my neighborhood looking for anyone who might accept the hospitality of my humble abode.
Many stories arose from my interaction with neighborhood doors. Some doors remained cold, untouched and unopened. Other doors would open a crack and I could barely see the faces of my new neighbors. There is also the screen door approach. You knock and inner door opens, but a thin screen remains between you and your neighbor. It is kind of like a safety net, just in case a strange neighbor might turn sour. You can quickly close the inner door while he is attempting to dig his way through the screen. I loved my neighbors, just the same, regardless of the way they presented their doors. I prayed for each and every one and attempted to learn their names.
However, my absolute favorite was when the door was opened wide. This was how I met Brian and Julia Beets. I knocked and the door was opened, with some confusion I might say. The Beet’s never use their front door so it was rather confusing to find the right door to open. Sometimes entering through the back door is a better approach (that is a story for another day). We talked briefly and they quickly accepted the invitation to come over for ice cream.
First impressions are important. The details matter when you are opening and closing doors. Brian said later, “I knew the minute we met that you were nervous, a new-bee pastor, quiet but carrying with you a passion to overcome your weaknesses.”
“How did you know I was a minister?” I asked.
“You were wearing an Ozark Christian College t-shirt,” he replied.
The way you present your home has the power to change one’s perspective. You are never the same person after encountering a door. Stop and reflect on this. The boldness given us by God to open and close doors with vulnerability leaves a positive impression. One open door can lead to game nights, eating together, and even an afternoon of learning about baseball from the pros. I like to brag about Brian and Julia Beets. They are hospitable, kind and always seem to be sharing what has been given them by God.
Brian and Julia, if you are reading this, whether you realize it or not, you are people of peace in my neighborhood. The friendship that we have is, in part, due to the way that you presented the door of your home. It opens and it closes with great warmth. You open it wide and are not afraid to step out and risk that the person knocking might be a weirdo. In fact, you met a crazy person when you met me. You took a risk getting to know me. And you close the door to keep out the cold from chilling the bones of your guests. I am thankful to God for meeting you both.
It reminds me of the words of Jesus. He said, “I am the door of the sheep” (Jn. 10:7). When Jesus made this claim to be a door (or gate), the implications are endless. Jesus warmly accepts each person who enters into his home (or sheep-fold). Any who desire to enter with ill-intent to harm his people, he turns away.
And Jesus is not a closed door. When his hospitality has led to rest, safety, security and relationship, he leads his sheep out through himself (the door) to find food in abundance. And when one of his people wander away, he leaves the 99 at home unattended and goes out to find the 1 lost person (Luke 15). When he finds that 1 lost person, he draws him or her close and says, “You are my child. I am your shepherd. I am your door. Stay close to me and you will never be hungry. I will always show you the next step to take and you will never be truly lost.”
Challenge of the day: Read John chapter 10 and post on our facebook page what God is saying to you, what you want to do about it and how we can be praying for you.