Monday, November 29, 2010

A quiet knock.....


Every day, a quiet voice answers our cry , gently, persuasively, "I stand at the door and knock."

Should we tremble at these words, this voice? The Spirit that we have called for, the Spirit that saves the world, is already here, at the door, knocking, patiently waiting for us to open the door. He has been there a long time and he has not gone away. His is a very quiet voice and few hear it. The cries of the marketplace and of those who sell shoddy goods are all too loud. But the knocking goes on, despite the noise, we hear it at last. What shall we do? Who is it? Are we afraid or impatient? Perhaps we feel a little fear, lest someone undesirable is at the door, dangerous or with malignant intent. Should we open? In all this fuss, the royal visitor stands patiently, unrecognized, waiting. He knocks again, quite softly. Can you hear Him?

Detrich Bonhoeffer's Christmas Sermons, December 2nd 1928

"I stand at the door and knock." Revelation 3:20

For the first time this year, I got swept up in Black Friday mania. I didn't actually go out to a store, I shopped online. I don't really know what came over me. It swept over me like a fever. I felt myself carried along a swift tide and the waters went from calm and clear to white and churning. Part of it was because I had  a deadline. I knew I was going to head out of town and I had a list, you see......I wanted to make sure everything was done, checked off. All day I went back and forth, this site, that site, this item, that item......which was the right one, which was the better buy? Finally around 5:00 PM I made the final choice.

Click......done.

It wasn't a peaceful day, my peace went somewhere and I missed it. I went out to my prayer shed for just a moment that evening to say a prayer of thanks for the day, for God's mercy and His unending love and patience. Every day He knocks and waits for me........For us. I am so glad He does.

Psalm 86:15


But you, Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger, abounding in love and faithfulness.Psalm 86:15

3 comments:

  1. how often have people thought that the scripture Rev 3:20 refers to Jesus calling the unsaved?
    But it is to us, His church, His bride, that he calls on...
    Let us not be too busy or too loud or too ignorant or religious that we miss His knocking!
    Thankyou for sharing this
    I am ashamed that countless days in my life I have overlooked or ignored His knocking
    Open our ears Lord, slow us down, and let us welcome you into every part of our lives!
    Blessings to you dear sister in Christ

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  2. Yes, he invites us every day. Just think, now that your shopping is done you will have time for your prayer shed. Please remember those of us who still have to shop....
    Andie

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  3. Thank you both......yes the scary thing is when we no longer hear the knocking.....we have all done it from time to time, but He is so gracious to us. Waiting for us to come back. Lori

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