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- Written by: Don Goulding
This is the solemn pronouncement of the Holy One, the True One, who holds the key of David, who opens doors no one can shut, and shuts doors no one can open … (Revelation 3:7)
For thousands of years, men searched for the key. Music and laughter streamed from under the door, but outside in the stinging cold, judgment waited in darkness.
Abraham, Moses, and David hungered after the key. In Solomon’s day, the door was still shut. He had untold wealth and the finest intellect on earth, but none of those would crack the door. Solomon’s conclusion—“‘Meaningless! Meaningless!’ says the Teacher. ‘Everything is meaningless!’” (Ecclesiastes 12:8) (NIV)
Then, at the perfect moment in history, after men had exhausted every effort to open the lock, the key fell from heaven. Tumblers fell into place, and the door swung wide. Death stayed outside. And along with eternal life, the Messiah opened purpose and hope, growth and love. Every tumbler of life was released where it engaged Jesus.
It’s been one hundred generations since the key fell, and now it’s my turn on the timeline of history. What those before me sought with tears, I take for granted. I was born with the key in my hand, so I don’t even bother to fit it into the lock. Apathy is my most infernal curse.
I have the key. The Key! I have access to every answer. All of life is open to me for a twist of my wrist. Solomon, with his wealth and brains, didn’t have what I have—the key that opens life’s meaning.
But will I turn the lock and go in?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, come unlock every part of my life.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. (1 Timothy 4:4, 5) (NIV)
A toymaker and his apprentice son made an amazing gift for children. They crafted inner mechanical works to spin a globe while spreading luminance, fragrance, and music. The completed masterpiece was placed on the lowest shelf, so every visiting child might play with it.
As the first boy and girl entered the shop, the maker peered around his tools and watched the pair discover the globe. The children giggled at the music and light. The inventor smiled as two free hearts sat on the floor, enraptured by the spinning orb.
The girl whispered in the boy’s ear and, when next the old man looked, the children were gone, and the toy with them.
Days later, the toymaker glanced out his window to see his globe picked up by other, meaner children. This lot tossed it back and forth, and abused the masterpiece. They found the music and images addictive and they fought for a turn.
“Please, go show those children how to use our toy safely,” the toymaker said to his son.
The son entered the children’s huddle and held the ball above his head. He demonstrated the motion necessary to make it spin fast, sing, and shine. He taught them to pass the ball on, before the attachment became too strong.
Before he returned to his father’s shop, the son said, “Have fun little ones, but use care. Because if you abuse it, this toy will destroy you.”
Prayer: Father, let me enjoy your Earth with reverence for you.
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- Written by: Don Goulding
“I heard you at the acceptable time, and in the day of salvation I helped you.” Look, now is the acceptable time; look, now is the day of salvation! (2 Corinthians 6:2)
Sometimes I live in the past. I talk about how things were better “back when.” I camp on previous accomplishments, or rehash old problems until they ruin my present joy. My feet sink into the quicksand of the past.
Often I hanker for what my earthly life may yet be. When I can afford to buy a … If only I could connect with my soul mate, then … As soon as I get free of this problem … My head floats in the ether of the future.
Oh, that I might learn to live in the now. I don’t need a different history. In Christ, I’m separated from regrets as far as the east is from the west. Moreover, to be whole, I don’t need the future I conjure. Everything necessary for supreme joy is in my hands, now.
When you sift the chaff out of fulfillment, what remains as the active ingredients?
First, I need a Savior to free me from guilt. I have that.
Next, I need my clean but empty soul filled with the presence of the Holy Spirit. Check, I have that too.
Lastly, I need a present moment to celebrate God’s love.
If I’ll stop fretting the past and fondling the future, I’ll discover I have what I need—salvation, the Spirit, and now.
In the next age, my faculties will be upgraded so my worship can intensify a hundredfold. But I have an opportunity in the present era for a form of adoration not available in paradise. It honors God more when I do the hard thing of pushing past the world’s veil to glorify him, than when I do the easy thing of praising him face to face in heaven.
God’s greatest favor begins now, while I have salvation, Spirit-filling, and the opportunity to sit here and worship from this side of the veil.
Prayer: Holy King, I receive your favor and worship you in this moment.