Earlier this week, we had a knock at the door and it was someone we didn’t know looking to sell windows and bathroom updates, so the conversation didn’t last too long. When I was in college, I did some sales and direct door to door marketing, so I’ve been on the other side before and usually give others a chance to share what they are promoting. But the biggest determinant of whether you let someone into your home is if you know them or not, whether you trust them or not, right? If a stranger shows up, by default, we would usually expect it’s not for something good, and we would likely be a bit guarded if we answer the door. Have you ever answered the door for two or more missionaries who were promoting a faith other than your own? If you have time, it may be interesting to engage in a conversation with them, but now always fruitful, as no opinions are usually changed during the exchange. Have you ever answered a knock at the door and had your life changed as a result?
Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. Revelation 3:20
There are lots of other knocks throughout the day demanding your attention as well. We get phone calls, text messages, emails, letters and other demands requesting something of us. We even give our time between things we are looking at with commercials wanting us to buy something being promoted that we may not have been looking for. Its rare in our culture to go through a day without something trying to grab your attention or being solicited in some way. The things we look at and invite into our lives tend to have a positive or negative impact on our lives, whether we realize it or not at the time. I’m sure you can look back on hobbies or things you have gotten involved with and later regretted, while at the same time there have been things that have proven very fruitful in your life as well. How do we know what things to give our time, money, and attention to and what to avoid? As we grow in experience and wisdom, past experiences often help dictate what we let into our homes and lives going forward.
Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things. Philippians 4:8
If we take a hard look at our lives, we can see things that we initially thought were good things that turned out to be detrimental to us at worst, and at best were a waste of our time and money. This can be said of most anything we look at or let into our hearts and minds that is not edifying or building up ourselves or others in some way. The condition of our hearts dictates what we do, where we give our time, energy, and money and where our eyes linger throughout the day. How many things that you pursue throughout the day are actually done just because you can versus for the fact they will build you up? If you already answered the first knock, how often are you still inviting Jesus into your life throughout each day? Are you still speaking with Him and intentionally asking Him to work in your life and conform your life to his regularly? Is He still standing at the door, or do you kick Him out and ask him back in from time to time? He is always there and we only need to ask Him back time and time again to have influence in your life on a regular basis. I know I need him dwelling with me more than I have been.
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. Romans 12:2
Yours in Christ,
Clark
