“So I say to you: Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened. “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead? Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him!” Luke 11:9-13
I used to often visit my great-aunt when she was no longer able to stay at home by herself. When I arrived, I’d have to press a button and wait for someone to let me in. Depending if someone was at the desk by the door, I could’ve been waiting outside for a while. That didn’t bother me at all except when I was shivering in the cold weather!
There was a double door policy. The first door had to be closed before they’d allow the second door to open (which was locked also). It wasn’t a favorite time of mine, but there wasn’t much of a wait in that little area before being admitted in the rest of the way. Unfortunately, it was when I was already inside that I’d start thinking about how I was dependent on someone else to allow my exit.
The worst times for me were when I got to the doors to leave, only to find nobody around. I could see the outside, but I was stuck on the inside. It made my chest tighten a little with a bit of anxiety. I was always so relieved when an employee came to let me out. One evening in particular I was there for quite a long time before I went searching for someone to help me out.
I didn’t like how I felt in that situation, so I imagine I wouldn’t do very well being locked in a small room. My sister thinks it’s great! She paid to have someone shut the door with no way out. She went to one of those mystery escape rooms where there are clues to help you reach a predetermined goal, and you have a limited amount of time to earn your freedom.
Many groups will even use these popular rooms as a team building exercise. It’s great fun to not just sit back and watch other people providing the entertainment, you’re immersed in the action yourself. My issue: you’re locked in! Actually, I was looking into this further and apparently there’s a button beside the door that allows you to leave whenever the need arises. I guess that’s really not so bad then.
I got to thinking about how I feel safe when I’m locked inside my house, but how would I feel if I couldn’t get out whenever I wanted? Then, I started contemplating if we ever lock ourselves into situations where it feels like we’re powerless to get out on our own. How many people would just stand there extending the imprisonment or go searching like I had to for help?
So many people believe they’re locked into situations that they can’t get out of. These can be from our own actions and guilt or someone else’s. When we do that, we’ve given our freedom to the devil. He’s holding the key because there isn’t anything that he likes more, and he certainly isn’t planning on releasing us any time soon. The good news is there’s a solution (our button) to get free.
If there’s something holding you captive today, I challenge you to ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened…the button!
Once that key is taken back from the devil, our anxiety can finally ease. Since we need to be dependent on someone for that to happen, I can’t think of a more trustworthy Someone I’d trust to open the door every time.
Our Father in heaven is ready to give the Holy Spirit to us for our escape! Are you ready for that freedom today?
