What lies beyond the door of suspense?

What lies beyond the door of suspense?

You have heard the words of Jesus when he told his listeners, “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you.”  (Mt 7: 7).  There is something mysterious regarding these suggestions because many of us were not taught to reach into the unknown without getting instructions from our parents.  “Don’t ask; Don’t go looking for trouble; Don’t dare to snoop where you may find trouble.  These could have been rules that created negative feelings and promoted a sense of fear if we went beyond the status quo.  

But, that is exactly what all of us needed to do years ago, and absolutely must adhere to at this present time in history.  This may insult some who grew up with this attitude, but doesn’t waver a bit with younger adults who must set guidelines for understanding these words of Jesus.  He was answering the quest of dependence on God and not to become so timid that daring to seek our needs would be an expectation we didn’t deserve.  However, that is exactly what he was leading us to do, not treating God as a furious entity, like the Wizard of Oz where smoke arose from his environment and his subjects were always filled with fear.  The one example of who God really is became apparent when through many parables Jesus exemplified the forgiveness of his Father to those who sinned and fell away from the requirements of God.  

All of this culminated on the Cross at Calvary.  This is why each of us must not tremble when standing at the door of suspense.  Instead of waiting for someone to open to us, we should be ready to open and invite Christ into our home; the temple of the Holy Spirit and become one with Christ.  The very expression of a loving father who welcomed his Prodigal son back, so our loving Father in heaven stands with open arms (metaphorically) ready to embrace our troubled hearts and wipe away our tears of regret.

When looking at how the pagans who worshiped idols for their gods could only shudder at the thoughts of infuriating these made-up gods if they dared to even speak unnecessary words  to them.  This is the one thing we must not become as they did; afraid to ask, or seek, or stand at the opportunity to allow our Father to enter our lives and become the one who carried us when our weaknesses got the best of us.

What lies beyond the door of suspense?  Grace, forgiveness, intense love, and a God who calls each of us to share his kingdom forever.  This is what God intended for us the very moment he created humanity.  

Ralph B. Hathaway