I received a story in an email recently….maybe you’ve seen it. The text is below:
A sick man turned to his doctor as he was preparing to leave the examination room and said, “Doctor, I am afraid to die. Tell me what lies on the other side.” Very quietly, the doctor said, “I don't know.”“You don't know? You’re a Christian man and don't know what's on the other side?” The doctor was holding the handle of the door; on the other side came a sound of scratching and whining, and as he opened the door, a dog sprang into the room and leaped on him with an eager show of gladness. Turning to the patient, the doctor said, “Did you notice my dog? He's never been in this room before and he didn't know what was inside. He knew nothing except that his master was here, and when the door opened, he sprang in without fear. I know little of what is on the other side of death, but I do know one thing...”“I know my Master is there and that is enough.”Hmmm….that one makes you think, doesn’t it?
Well, first you kind of have to get past the plausibility of a dog being in a doctor’s office. Not realistic. Once past that, the email is compelling to think about in a lot of ways.
I went to Eucharistic Adoration at my church shortly after receiving the email I mentioned above. For all of you who aren’t Catholic, Adoration is an opportunity to spend prayerful time in the chapel talking with Jesus in His presence via the Holy Eucharist. I don’t do this nearly enough and always leave Him feeling refreshed, renewed and loved.
Anyway, while sitting in the quiet chapel my mind wandered back to this email. I thought of how this scenario can relate to so many things in life. To me, the door can represent a lot of our life experiences: new opportunities, new relationships, things we are scared of, people we need to forgive, how hard we are on ourselves, our need to feel a sense of control, our ability to trust (or not)….the list is endless.
We all have these doors in our lives. And we can often feel God reaching out to us, nudging us, beckoning us to go through them. Calling us to trust, to love, to forgive, to let go. And so often we hesitate at those doors.
Sometimes His call is so strong we can almost physically hear it. It’s almost like you can audibly hear the words being said:
- “Trust me."
- “Do not be afraid.”
- “Go ahead…forgive her as I have forgiven you.”
- “You are wonderfully and beautifully made…don’t be so hard on yourself…you are created in My image.”
- “I am with you.
- “Be still and know that I am God.”
- “No matter what happens you will be okay.”
- “I will never leave you.”
Everything He is saying above is true. The above words are either directly out of the Good Book or a paraphrase…those are the promises of God. And if anyone can be trusted to keep a promise, it’s Him!
So…back to the email. I know that no one likes being compared to a dog (although maybe that’s not such a bad thing!) but in this story, that’s what we should be striving for. To leap with abandon through the doors of life just knowing that our Master is there.
So what are you waiting for? Has God presented you with an opportunity? A new job? A chance to forgive someone and bring long-awaited healing? The opportunity for some overdue renewal with your spouse? The choice to see yourself as He does, with accepting rather than overly-critical eyes?
That list is endless as we are presented with decisions and crossroads each and every day.
Next time you are, think about the trusting dog in the story above. He didn’t think about going through the door. He didn’t mull it over…pause…procrastinate…doubt…hesitate.
NO! He bounded with joy through the door because of WHO was inside! We can always do the same thing. No matter what is in front of us, we know without any doubt that we are not alone. Just listen for that still, small voice in your heart calling you.
“Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand." (Isaiah 41:10)
The door is there…are you ready to walk through it? Or better yet – are you ready to eagerly bound through it with gladness?
Until next time,
Chris
