“For a great and effective door has been opened for me, and there are many adversaries.” I Cor. 16:9
We have heard from time to time the phrase “I am waiting on God to open or close the door.” While reading the scriptures recently in I Corinthians 16, it was encouraging to me to see that even though there was opposition (and this, by the way, came from the church), Paul did not allow it to keep him from pressing on. He had a ministry before him that he had to complete. From the day that Jesus got Paul’s attention on the road to Damascus, Paul continued to press forward, looking for opened doors of opportunity. Many times, he didn’t know what to do – the doors seemed closed. The very churches he helped plant would fight among themselves. If I were in his shoes, I might say, “What’s the use? The door is closed.” But, not Paul. He continued to move on. We know the rest of the story of his life, that even unto death, he never backed down. Even though he knew he was going to be executed for being a Christian, his main concern was God’s people and the church – to make sure their needs were being met. He was calling his fellow pastors to keep going.
Over the years of ministry here at Siloam Missionary Homes, I too, grow weary. I feel the pressures of finances and the fatigue of travel. I don’t always have the answers when a missionary comes to see me. But I know that God allows these times as doors of opportunity. God IS faithful and always shows us how to open the door. The most comforting thing is my life is my mornings alone with God. Even today, the morning is quiet and calm. His Word flows like a river through my soul. I continue to press on.
We are continuing the construction of the new Bill & Sandra Rice missionary home. The last week of June, Bible Baptist Church from New Milford, Connecticut brought a work team to put the floor trusses and floor decking on the house. You may ask, “How can you continue to build more houses with the economy the way it is?” I have asked the same question. But, like the Apostle Paul, we have a job to do. We have turned away many missionary families because we don’t have enough houses. That tells me we need to keep on keeping on. Proverbs tells us to “plan and prepare without.”
You know, friends, we don’t always have the answers and it may seem no open door, but God has a plan. It is His desire for us to reach the world. Over and over, when I think that God has closed the door, He always seems to open another one. Jesus was always looking for windows of opportunity. “Look, the fields are white unto harvest, and the laborers are few. Go ye,” He said, “and I will always be with you.”
I thank the Lord for you today – for standing in the gap for us. Almost daily I receive phone calls, e-mails or notes. Thank you for your prayers and financial support for Siloam and for the missionary families. Look for your door of opportunity. Even in these times of uncertainty, I can truly say, “If God is for us, who can be against us?”
