Let me share with you one occasion where He reminded me of this promise in a very personal and intimate way. I was going through a period where I was confused about my purpose, my direction and my future. Struggling through the uncertainty made me realize that I needed extra prayer and support. One night after the Eucharistic adoration and praise and worship at the Catholic Church across my college campus, I requested prayers for me from the priest and some members of the seminarian team.A minute later the seminarian asked to read Revelations 3:7. The scripture said “To the angel of the church in Philadelphia write: These are the words of Him who is holy and true, who holds the key of David. What He opens no one can shut, and what He shuts no one can open. I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied My name.” The priest then added, “Listen to what God says after ‘I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.’ God knows about your faith struggles and weaknesses but He also knows that you have not loved Him any less.” At this point I was crying like a little child because God was revealing a lot about what I meant to Him and about His plans for me. I still have no words to explain what it felt like to be there that day. Every time I think of that day it gives me a lot of reassurance about who God is. He knows our struggles, yet He sees our faith and our efforts to keep His name. He has a plan for us; He actually opens doors and opportunities for us that no one can shut. Every time I worry and I panic, I think of that day when God told me that He will open doors for me that no one can shut. And it brings in a sense of calmness, because I know that looking back at my life, He has opened a lot of doors that I never even thought would open up for me. I have also seen Him open doors for many others in numerous instances. Today, as I face my uncertainties, as I wait for His doors to open, I am prepared to be surprised, I am prepared to be overwhelmed and I am definitely prepared to keep my faith and proclaim His name through all of this.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 03:13:53 +0000