Time to Move Forward - Walking Through Doors

I recently picked up an old classic to read.

The Door in the Wall, a Newberry Winner, written by Marguerite De Angeli. It is a short book with some very impactful quotes:

• I know Thy works: Behold, I have set before thee an open door and no man shall hut it: For thou hast a little strength and hast not denied my name. Rev 3:8
• “Always remember that,” said the friar. “Thou hast only to follow the wall far enough and there will be a door in it.”
• “Crutches or crosses as thou’ll have it. ’Tis all the same thing. Remember, even thy crutches can be a door in a wall....”

But my favorite is this one: 

• “Each of us has his place in the world, “ he said, “If we cannot serve in one way, ,there is always another. If we do what we are able, a door always open to something else.” 

I really feel God is trying to speak to me in having me pick up this book and be encouraged to read it. I love books. I love to write. But I am so lifted up by Words!

A little later in the book, I noted this quote, spoken by the monk to the young man that was to be a knight however he became crippled in his legs during the years of the plague: 

“God alone knows whether thou’lt straighten or no. I know not. But this I tell thee. A find and beautiful life lies before thee... Fret not, my son. None of us is perfect. It is better to have crooked legs than a crooked spirit. We can only do the best we can with what we have. That, after all, is the measure of success: what we do with what we have...” 

It is so beautiful. And so Biblical. I think this is what I miss about many books written today. They will be shunned if they talk about God or speak Biblical truth. Schools don’t choose these books to be on the reading list but the bring so much practical advice. It is not like Christianity is something you catch by reading a Bible verse or hear a Biblical principle. You have to make a choice of whether you want to die to self and live to Christ. Some will choose, most will not. 

Regardless of the decision a person makes we should always love one another. Individually we can make a positive impact and people can be better for knowing us if we sincerely love. 

This all confirms what God was speaking to me in my spirit this past Sunday as I sat in church and felt compelled to write in my journal. I wrote, 

“God did not allow me to live through the horror of my childhood to do nothing for His glory."

What He allowed me to live through was for a God-purpose. I know this from the inside of my bones. Sure, I can do many “jobs” but God has a perfect fit, a place that we have been shaped by life to fulfill the need and in turn it fills us up to overflowing.

So, right now I am trying to move in this direction. Pray for me.

(photo credits: deviantart: J-u-d-a-s and amliel)