Open Windows

A few years back we prayed to increase our mission effectiveness. The opportunity came for us to help the Hmong Church by giving them space to meet in our facility. They met with us for a year until they had nearly tripled in size, and were able to purchase their own building in Decatur. Our prayers were answered and the Lord opened a door for the gospel to the Hmong people.

As I thought about open doors I remembered a time when the church I pastored wanted to reach the Hispanic population in our community. We put together a van to take food and the gospel to the soccer fields. At first our ministry was appreciated. However, after a few weeks they stopped coming to our van and made it clear that our help was not wanted. We saw a door suddenly close.

Soon after this a couple joined our church.  The wife was deaf and the husband interpreted for her. We also had another family who had a deaf son. One day his mother told me that her son really enjoyed watching the older man interpret for his wife.  They began to sit together and the older man interpreted for both of them. In time the number of deaf people attending our church grew into a deaf Sunday School class, and then a deaf Church. God closed one door but opened another.

I have often heard it said that when God closes a door He opens a window. That statement confuses me. It has always been my experience that closed doors lead to other doors that God is opening for us.

When I search the scriptures for windows I found something interesting. There are times that God opens windows but not for us to go through. God opens windows to send us His blessings.

To the prophet Malachi God said, “’Bring all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be food in My house, and try Me now in this,’ says the Lord of Hosts, ‘If I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you such blessing that there will not be room enough to receive it.’” (Malachi 3:10, nkjv)

Doors are for opportunities for us. Windows are for blessings from God. Whether God opens or closes a door I look for a window, not as a way of escape, or as way to a new opportunity. I look for windows because I know God is looking for opportunities to bless me. He blesses me when I give, as He promised to Malachi. He also blesses me when I go through His open door.

Look for doors AND windows from God. He always has a plan and a blessing for us.

Bro. Robin