Last week I celebrated 39 years in a career that almost didn’t happen. In 1986, I was scheduled to take an entrance exam for the Sheriff’s Office. I woke up from an afternoon nap ten minutes before my appointment. I didn’t think I had time to get there. So, I gave up on the idea. Deep down, however, I felt like I needed to try anyway. So, I jumped in my Toyota Celica and headed that way. 

I arrived at the test site just before they closed the door. Too close for comfort, but I was in time to take the test. When the results came in a few days later, I had made the high score. The Sheriff hired me shortly thereafter and the rest is history. I am forever grateful that I didn’t give up that night. I’ve had 39 years to enjoy the fruit of that decision.

 Close calls make me nervous. I watched a man at the airport sit through three “final boarding calls” before he finally got up and boarded the plane. The gangway door was closing when he casually got up, folded his newspaper, and walked onto the plane. Why do that? I thought. Why risk missing the flight? Just get up and get in!

 The Bible is replete with door analogies. One of the more sobering parables Jesus told is about a door that will ultimately close. He says, “Make every effort to enter through the narrow door, because many, I tell you, will try to enter and will not be able to. Once the owner of the house gets up and closes the door, you will stand outside knocking and pleading, ‘Sir, open the door for us.’ But he will answer, ‘I don’t know you or where you come from.’” (Luke 13)

 The good news is, that door is still open. The invitation is still extended to “whosoever will come.” In Revelation 3:20, Jesus says, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me.” Once upon a time, Jesus knocked on the door of my life. He waited for me to open it. I have never regretted opening that door.