I Stand At The Door | by Sam Shoemaker

I Stand at the Door | by Sam Shoemaker 

I stand by the door.

I neither go to far in, nor stay to far out.

The door is the most important door in the world -

It is the door through which men walk when they find God.

There is no use my going way inside and staying there,

When so many are still outside and they, as much as I,

Crave to know where the door is.

And all that so many ever find

Is only the wall where the door ought to be.

Waiting

The Bible is filled with examples of waiting, but that theme is not reflected in the beginning of the first book of the Bible. God speaks and His will is accomplished. But after the introduction of sin and the fall of man, there is now the loss of the eternal to be replaced by the introduction of Time. Which is why I believe one of the few things that remains unchanged from God's original creation is His love. Everything else, from nature to mortality was radically and permanently transformed by that one act of disobedience. When God speaks about the ramifications and destructive power of sin, you don't have to imagine what the ripple effects of sin might look like, we are still living in the consequences of that one moment. In fact, the reality of time, this new dimension in God's creation, reminds us of this fact every second of every day.   

Which brings up an interesting question, since we are now slaves to time, why are there so many examples of waiting in scripture?

Let's Talk About Pain and Suffering

Life consists of many seasons: birth, growth, education, maturity, work, and death. Feelings and experiences often beyond our control are spread out between those seasons. And it perhaps the desire of all of us to be caught up in endless days of joy, happiness, and gladness because, as they say, a merry heart is a good medicine (Proverbs 17:22). 

But before we dive into the subject of this blog, please understand my intent. I am in no way advocating a shortcut or pie-in-the-sky philosophy that ignores the tremendous pain and suffering that so many are enduring all around us. And I am not lifting the banner that proclaims that we should all be happy and smiling, no matter our circumstances. 

In fact, I believe this belief has been undeniably harmful to the cause of Christ. But since it most likely our lot in life to have seasons of pain, challenges, and suffering, perhaps, it might be a good investment to view this subject from God's perspective. 

Let's start with how pain, as impossible as it might be to understand when drowning in the tragedies of life, can lead to a time of spiritual growth and even blessing.  

The Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ

While talking to some friends the other day, the subject arose about an upcoming event called the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ. 

When I was young I remember vividly viewing a black-and-white cartoonish religious tract that depicted the Last Judgement as a vast humanity stand before Jesus, in front of a huge screen, while everyone, including the person currently being judged, witnessed all of that person's sins that he or she committed during their life. This imagery caused many a sleepless night as I sought to imagine, even at my relative innocent age, all my transgressions being broadcast for everyone to see!

Thankfully, that scene is nowhere to be found in the Bible. But there was an element of truth to that belief that it took many years for me to come to terms with. Let's take a closer look at what I believe the Bible teaches about this particular judgement from God.