Is Your Door Open or Closed?
Published: May 05, 2010
“And if you do not do well, sin lies at the door. And its desire is for you, but you should rule over it" (Genesis 4:7)
Doors. They open. They close. They revolve. They slide. They lock. They latch. You've probably walked through several doors today as you've navigated your day. I thought about this very simple invention the other day while at work.
I work as an attorney in the Los Angeles area and I am amazed by one thing that is uniform at any law firm. Doors. Most big firms take up about three floors in large, high-rise buildings. Needless to say, there are a countless number of doors at these firms. There are doors to get into the reception area, doors to get back to attorney's offices, doors to get into conference rooms, and doors to get into case file rooms. It is very easy to get lost around these places. Despite the fact that all of these doors provide several potential access points, one could not traverse through any of the doors without an access card. Doors regulate access. That's how things work at my law firm. Only those with keys to the doors are allowed access to a space. No card, no access.
Have you ever heard the cliché about opportunity knocking at your door? Doors are metaphorically used in this way to explain opportunities coming and going in our lives. The same can be said of entering and leaving relationships. Opportunities and potential suitors often come and go. Many times that can leave us frustratingly single. I believe doors offer insight when it comes to relationships; specifically, the idea of door closure. The purpose of door closure is to give occupants of a space privacy and security by regulating access. Closing doors when it comes to relationships allows us to have two things: privacy and security.
With that said, I want to give you a universal caveat when it comes to relationships:
Be careful who you give your key!
Growing up, when my mother got a new door on our home she took us all to Wal-Mart and had keys made for the door. Each of us had an all-access pass to the home. We each had access to everything on the inside. Who have you given an all-access key to? Look at your present condition in relationships. How many people can say they have your key on their key chain? Single people, please carry yourself in such a way that there aren't any duplicate or spare keys out there on someone's relationship key chain.
Often times when businesses have something to guard they make one key that states: "Do Not Duplicate." It lets others know that there is only one key, which cannot be re-manufactured. I encourage you to have that same "do not duplicate" spirit. This will let that man or woman know that your key is valuable and cannot be taken for granted. It will help to guard your heart and save you from experiencing regret and remorse. The Bible declares that "sin lies at the door" (Genesis 4:7). The only reason that sin lies at the door is because it does not have access unless you give it access. Rejoice in the fact that sin does not have a key, but also recognize that you have the ability to distribute that access.
Doors are necessary in life. They help us get from point A to point B. But we should always be mindful of the fact that regulating access in the context of relationships can assist us when navigating the murky waters of dating relationships/courtships. Continue to evaluate your relationships for signs that may indicate that someone is trying to gain unauthorized access into your life. It will save you plenty of time, heartache and emotional baggage.
© John C. Richards, Jr.. All rights reserved.
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John C. Richards, Jr., Esq. is a husband, father, writer, attorney, and student. While an attorney by career choice, he remains involved in local urban ministry and is passionate about juvenile justice. He and his family currently reside in Atlanta. Find John at http://www.brotherpreacher.com
