The Importance Of Opening Doors

We need to assist others in concrete ways, rather than just saying a prayer, expecting God to do it all.

In the days of Micah, the famed Old Testament prophet, Israel wanted God to do it all.  On numerous occasions Israel acknowledged:  yes Lord, we know we’re been unjust, uncompassionate; yes Lord, we know we've cheated the poor and neglected the lonely.  But here, you fix things; here, take a few more offerings:  a thousand rams – ten thousand rivers of oil (Micah 6:7).

But God says no.  Sure, I’ll do my part, but you must do your part.  And what is your part?  Israel, it’s “to act justly…love mercy and walk humbly with…God…”  (Micah 6:8).   In a word:  it’s obedience.  For I Samuel 15:22 is right: it is better to obey – than to sacrifice, even to God.

For me, obedience, in relation to justice – is opening doors for others.  For the heart of injustice is a lack of access to opportunities.  And so if I can open doors to greater opportunity, then life blossoms even for folks done-in and discouraged. 

Growing up, I was often discouraged.  And the person who first opened doors for me was my pastor, DeWitt L. Miller.  Now Dr. Miller (we always called him Dr. Miller) was 'larger than life,' power-full, well-connected.  Why our family drove a little Mercury Comet; but Dr. Miller drove a big Buick Rivera. Our family had a little house in Halfway, MD; Dr. Miller lived in the church parsonage, in the north-end, the rich-end of Hagerstown. 

But one day our worlds connected; why Dr. Miller invited me to be an acolyte at my church, the Hagerstown Church of the Brethren.  And I was thrilled!  But even more thrilled when Dr. Miller said he was coming by to pick me up, personally, at my house, in his Buick Rivera! -- for my first acolyte lesson.  I couldn’t believe it:  this larger than life role model, this powerful man, Dr. Miller, was coming by and personally picking me up -- in his Buick Rivera, no less!  I’m telling you, that simple act, that kind gesture, that personal outreach, to a discouraged, insecure little boy, had a big impact, still bringing tears to my eyes. 

And so who might you ‘pick up’ this week; who might you reach toward in a personal way?   Realize:  you have more influence and power than you think.  

And so as we strive to work for justice, to go beyond sacrifice, toward obedience of God,  what needy person, lonely person, disenfranchised person might we create opportunity for?   

Bottom line:  when we go out of our way and create opportunities for others, when we open doors for others -- whether a car door, or some other door -- God works through us, and life-changing things occur!