THE PILGRIMS aboard the Mayflower set ground at Plymouth Rock on December 11, 1620. Because of the extreme conditions of the winter, they lost almost half of those who sailed. To celebrate the survival of their first winter and the blessings of a bountiful harvest, they started a tradition of Thanksgiving in the fall of 1621.
Although our Thanksgiving holiday has evolved and become somewhat different than the time of the Pilgrims, it still holds a core truth in that we ought to be thankful for what God has done for us.
These Pilgrims who were desperate for change and liberty to worship, decided to step through a door of the unknown, a door of possible tragedy, but more important, a door of new hope and freedom. An open door represents a passageway into another room, a means of access to something, a place of transition.
The Bible speaks many times about open doors and we can compile a short but not exhaustive list of the doors God has opened in the Bible as well as our lives.
I. THE DOOR OF SALVATION
Of all the doors God has opened for mankind, this is far more important than any other. The means of access to the New Birth experience (Acts 2:38, John 3:1-8) was created through the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Matthew 27:51 speaks of the veil in the temple being torn in two from the top to the bottom, signifying the door of grace and mercy being opened to all who seek Him.
Jesus gave the keys to the kingdom to Peter (Matthew 16:19) and Peter took those keys and unlocked the door on the Day of Pentecost as he preached under the inspiration of his newfound, Holy Ghost experience.
In John 10, Jesus said He was the door to the sheepfold and as a result, there was only one door.
II. THE DOOR OF DELIVERANCE
God opened the doors of the prison for Paul and Silas (Acts 16:26), the apostles preaching in Jerusalem (Acts 5:19) and also for Peter (Acts 12). Paul spoke of a "way of escape" in I Corinthians 10:1.
III. THE DOORS OF OPPORTUNITY
God is in the business of giving to us this "abundant life" He spoke of in John 10:10. He always has our best interests in mind in every thing He does, in every door He opens and closes. Although Jesus, (in speaking of prayer) told us to "knock and it shall be opened," (Luke 11:9) be careful how hard and long you knock on a door because it might be opened!
We have all been guilty of setting our sights on a particular door when God had another one ready to open if we would go back to the "asking" and "seeking" part.
I believe God is always looking to take us into spiritual places we have never been before, open doors of new vision, open doors to talk to new people about God and we need to be always aware and ready to step through those open doors.
If it has been a long time since God has opened doors in your life, perhaps you need to once again, open a door only you can open, the door of your heart.
Revelations 3:20: . . .Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.
God has become, as it were, our "divine doorkeeper," opening doors in every one of our lives, providing a means of access, a place of transition into areas not accessible without Him.
This Thanksgiving, have a spirit of gratitude for how far God has brought you, for all the doors he has opened when there wasn't even a door to open.
Psalms 100:4: Enter into his gates (doors) with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name.
