Open the Door! Open it Wide!

We have had a blessed week here! VBS! Say no more, right? It is always good to have a concentrated week of focused study and meditation on God's Word. Our theme this week was "Living a Spirit-Filled Life"! So many good nuggets of inspiration and encouragement!

One thought that the Lord brought to mind this week has to do with "the door of our heart"! We control it. What do we let in? How much do we let in? When and how?

Doors serve a purpose. They let things in and keep things out. When it comes to the Holy Spirit, what is our theological perspective on its indwelling? At the time of our conversion, the moment we sincerely yield our heart and soul to Jesus, do you not agree, that it is then that we are changed because of the supernatural entrance of the Holy Spirit into our lives? This change is evidenced in our new-found hope, the power we sense, and the peace and joy we experience.

Does the Spirit enter in its totality? Yes! The Spirit does not fragment its presence. It is either completely there or completely not.

Yet, it is up to us to control its effectiveness in our lives. Let me take this opportunity to let you all know, dear readers, that I am talking first and foremost to myself in this post! In all my musings, the Spirit is reminding me of those things that I need to work on, that I need to be concentrating on.

And so, that said...are we letting ourselves be completely influenced by the Holy Spirit's presence and control? Or are we limiting our access to its power?

Likely we are. I think we all can acknowlege that some days the Spirit seems more real then others. Some days we just know that our life is being Spirit-led, helping us with our "words, thoughts and deeds" (my daily prayer). The degree of the Spirit's effectiveness has to do with the door of our heart.

Are we opening it daily to the working of the Spirit? It is prayer and time in the Word that turns the door knob of faith and allows the door of our heart to be swung open.

Does the door of our heart have "circumstantial hinges"? In some things are we more then willing to let the Spirit work? Then, at other times, are we maybe tempted to keep a resistant hand on the doorknob? Oh, may we be "open-handed" to the marvelous and mysterious ways of God!

Consider with me, how wide is the door of our hearts today? Is it but cracked or is it thrust wide open?

I am reminded of a beautiful verse from Ephesians 3:20. "Now unto him that is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think according to the power that worketh in us."

Just consider what this verse is saying! We can not even imagine all the joy, peace and meaningful opportunities that await a life that is totally reliant on the Spirit!

We all desire to know the fullness of His joy, the depth of His comfort, the assurance of His leading and the peace of His presence! These beautiful gifts can be wonderfully ours, when we intentionally and daily....

open the door of our heart... and open it wide!