Open Door

Stepping Through the Open Door

There are times in life when God sets an open door before us. It might be a new opportunity, a prompting to reach out, or a call to trust Him in a fresh way. Sometimes, that door stands wide open, full of promise and light, yet we find ourselves rooted to the spot. Fear whispers, “What if?” and we hesitate. We wonder what’s on the other side. We tell ourselves we’re not ready. And so, the open door remains — waiting.

Then there are the closed doors. The ones we desperately want to open. The job that slipped away, the plan that didn’t unfold, the prayer that seemed unanswered. We press against them with all our might, and when they won’t budge, disappointment settles in. It’s easy to believe that a closed door means failure or rejection — but often, it’s protection. God sees what’s beyond the door, and sometimes His mercy closes it before we walk through something we’re not ready for.

In the book of Revelation, Jesus says, “See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut” (Revelation 3:8). What a beautiful assurance that when God opens a way for us, nothing — no fear, no obstacle, no circumstance — can close it. Our only task is to notice the door and trust the One who opened it.

And yet, how many doors do we pass each day without ever thinking to turn the handle? Opportunities to speak a kind word, to listen deeply, to forgive, to serve. So often, God’s invitations come quietly — disguised as ordinary moments. We wait for grand signs, but sometimes the door is simply the person in front of us, or the nudge in our heart to step out of comfort and into compassion.

Paul writes in Ephesians 5:15–16, “Be very careful, then, how you live — not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” God’s open doors aren’t always dramatic; they’re often daily. Each one is a chance to walk in wisdom, love, and grace.

And when the door remains shut, when what we longed for seems out of reach, we remember the words from The Sound of Music: “When God closes a door, somewhere He opens a window.” Sometimes that window doesn’t appear where we expect. It may be smaller, quieter — but through it, His light still shines.

Perhaps today you find yourself before a door — one that is open but uncertain, or one that’s firmly closed. Maybe you’ve walked past doors without noticing them, or maybe you’re standing before one, afraid to move. Wherever you are, know this: God is in the hallway too. His presence fills the space between the closing and the opening, the waiting and the walking.

So pause. Look around. Listen. The Lord may be whispering, “This is the way; walk in it” (Isaiah 30:21). Step forward — not because you know what’s on the other side, but because you know Who goes with you.

Prayer:
Lord, help me to recognize the doors You open before me. Give me courage to step through in faith, even when I can’t see what’s ahead. When You close a door, teach me to trust that You have something better prepared. And when You open a window, let me see the light of Your grace shining through. Amen.