“We don’t follow clarity. We follow God.”- John Ortberg
“The nations will walk by its light, and the kings of the earth will bring their glory into it. Its gates will never be shut by day- and there will be no night there.”- Revelation 21:24-25 (NRSV)
John Ortberg concludes Chapter 10 of All the Places to Go with the fourth reason we’re tempted to give up searching for the door when the wall seems insurmountable.
4. The way isn’t clear enough. Pastor Ortberg observes that we may be tempted to give up looking for the door because we have not idea where to look. John cites an old (must be really old!) travelers’ saying- a car’s headlights only shine fifteen feet, but that fifteen feet will get you home.
God knows exactly how much clarity will be good for us, even though the open and closed doors of our lives are a mystery to us. The apostle Paul wanted to carry out ministries in Asia and Bithynia, but those doors were closed without explanation. The Paul got a vision to go to Macedonia. The word of Jesus came to Europe through an open door- but it first started with an unexpected closed door. John concludes:
“God often gives us just enough clarity to take the next step in following him.”
And the final (heavenly) door is an open door- and it’s still open.
Today’s question: How has God given you just enough clarity as you revitalize and revision your calling? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “A simple, healthy inner world”
