I refused to open the door to Jesus.
For years, I not only heard knocks on the door of my heart but also felt them. I misinterpreted those thumps, believing they were school studies, a career, and community work. Those activities became my focus, and I dismissed any need for a spiritual life. But the knocks continued.
The painting, The Light of the World by William Holman Hunt, is a beautiful illustration of Revelation 3:20. Jesus is knocking on a door that’s overgrown with weeds. The house has been neglected. It is dark and uninviting. Jesus’ lantern offers the only light. Despite the house’s unwelcome appearance, Jesus knocks on the door, prays, and waits for the heart-owner to open the door.
Mr. Hunt captures the truth—that Jesus can enter your heart, but only after you open the door and invite Him in. Jesus won’t force His way into your life. He can’t. Like the house in Hunt’s painting, your heart doesn’t have an external doorknob.
During my life before Jesus, my heart was choking with vines and weeds. But Jesus’ reaction was to knock and pray without ceasing. His knocks were polite but firm. He didn’t beg or shout. Despite His promises and prayers, I couldn’t let Him in. What would He think about my sinfulness? I knew He would be mad at me and would list my wrongs in chronological order.
After years of peeking through the window and wishing He would go away, I finally opened the door. Joy filled my heart that day. Jesus wasn’t mad at me. He didn’t recite an inventory of my mistakes. Rather, He sat down and said, “I love you.” The peace that overcame me was a delicate whisper which passed over my heart and evaporated years of frustration, confusion, and anxiety.
When Jesus knocks on your heart’s door, He prays you will open the door and invite Him into your life. He offers love, not criticism. So go ahead and open the door.
(Photo courtesy of pixabay.)
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Karen Tyner lives in South Carolina with her husband. She has been an attorney for twenty-five years. For twelve of those years, she did things her way and created a messy heart along the way. But Jesus rescued her from that stubborn independence one October day. He’s been her Savior and Friend since. In 2015, Jesus asked Karen to write down her stories, especially the many lessons He has taught her since that fateful day she opened her heart’s door and fell into His arms. She can be reached at www.joyfulonion.com.