The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. The great street of the city was of gold, as pure as transparent glass. Revelation 21:21
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. Matthew 16:18
Do you know what’s been on my mind lately? Ha! Normally it would be almost impossible to follow my line of thinking I’m sure, but come on…I’ve already told you in the title…sheesh. That’s right, gates! Oh, I’ve seen the most beautiful gates. Strong gates. Gates that are wrought iron. They’re old and now considered artwork. That wrought iron gets heated up and pounded with tools. It’s malleable and can stand the heat! Does that heat make it brittle and break? Nope. It grows stronger the more it’s “under fire” you see.
Each piece of work made of wrought iron is unique just like Philip Simmons, one of the best master blacksmiths that lived. I’ve been studying this man and have even stood in his workshop. It wasn’t some fancy thing like some of those gates he’s made. Even though you can find his work all over the U.S. and certainly all over Charleston, SC, you would never know it by looking at his small home he lived in. He didn’t worry about that; he was a giver and a worker as we can tell by his favorite quote that said, “If you want your prayers answered, get off your knees and hustle.”
As I reflected on those gates, I thought about the gates we have in our lives. What are the gates there for? Are they keeping us safe on the inside or holding us prisoner there? Are they strong or weak? Are others able to see through them like those decorative wrought iron gates of Philip Simmons?
When I googled about different types of gates, I received more information than I could handle! I have one type of actual gate in my house. Baby gates, even though I don’t have babies, are set up in the doorways of my boys’ rooms. They aren’t so they can’t get out, but so the dog can’t get in! He could easily hop right over those gates (which my boys do quite often…at top speed…instead of removing them…which makes my heart skip a beat when I hear the ensuing crash…which leads to, “I’m ok!”), but he respects that boundary. Sure, he may lean his chin on top and try to get pity from the boys, but he doesn’t barge in where he isn’t wanted. He could easily break that barrier. Will everyone in your life respect that gate (umm…the devil?) or do you need a stronger gate?
A gate that we all have are doors! Today, I watched with curiosity as my hubby opened a door that led from a covered porch to a balcony. He was talking to someone and I couldn’t quite figure out why he was doing a Vanna White gesture to show off the balcony. Who was he inviting out there? I had to get a little closer to get a better view out the window. Next, I see him prop open the door and go back inside. I realized he wasn’t talking to someone at all; he was talking to a bird! I started laughing as the bird made its way outside. I asked him how well the bird understood him, and he asked me if it worked. Well, it sure did…after he got out of the way! Is there a someone or something that you’ve been struggling to get out your door (or gate)? Have you thought about zipping it up and getting out of the way?
Oh, the meaning behind all this! Are you starting to see it? Let’s take a minute to look at something important. During the same visit as the one when I saw the shop of Philip Simmons, something was brought to my attention. I found out about a type of house located all throughout Charleston. They were single houses that had a piazza (porch) along the side, but you don’t realize there’s a piazza when you look directly at the house because all that is seen are windows from a room on one side and a door on the far edge. It looks like you’d walk into that house and have a room off to the side. It’s not true! That door opens into the outside…onto the piazza! It’s what I call an imposter. The actual door to the house is in the middle of the piazza! Just because someone comes knocking, do we need to let them into our inner sanctuary? Should we keep them on our piazza until we know they’re trustworthy?
Oh, the gates! There are gates that will lead to beauty and gates that lead to misery, gates that will keep out or let in, and gates that are weak and those that are strong. I’d sure like to see us tear down the gates that divide and cause separation and segregation. How wonderful it would be to strengthen the gates that protect and welcome!
Also, I want to stop looking at being “under fire” as all negative. It’s miserable, I certainly give you that! It might not be fair, and it may seem like we’ll go up in flames with the heat, but sometimes we need to step outside of our circumstances to get a clearer picture of what’s happening in the midst of the pain. Let’s have faith that God will use it to form us into some of the strongest individuals who will stand through all circumstances and be able to be an inspiration to others…just like wrought iron.
I challenge you to ask yourself, “Who are my gates for and why are they there?” Make adjustments as needed. Don’t forget to keep the enemy from entering your gate! Be sure he isn’t disguising himself as someone trustworthy when he’s really an imposter. He’s pretty tricky.
