Doors (part 3 of 3)

I was walking through an airport when I heard the announcement: "Would passenger Kevin Lee please report to the ticket counter immediately? Your flight is ready to depart and the attendants are preparing to close the door."

It's not the kind of announcement you want to hear. The result was that I broke out in a full sprint. I had my luggage with me and that alone began to feel like anchors holding me back and slowing me down. But I ran. I ran because I knew the door of opportunity was closing. I ran with all the strength I could summon. I ran, because I knew if I didn't get to the counter in time, the door would be closed. The plane would leave the gate. The seat would remain empty. And I would be stuck.

So I ran.

It was an ugly run. I was sucking air as I labored to run, for the first time in years. I didn't have to ask people to move aside. They heard me coming! I'm certain there were tremors as I pounded my way through the terminal. People parted in front of me like the waters of the Red Sea. Mothers gathered up their babies afraid that their child might be trampled in my one-man stampede. Old folks found new youth and vigor as they spryly stepped aside! I ran like I had never run before.

That's fine. Go ahead and laugh. I do!

When I turned the corner, I shouted to the gate, "I'm here! I'm here! I'm Kevin Lee!" That's what I heard in my head. I think they heard something like, "ARGUEAMAH! ARGUEAMAH! ARGUEMKAVA LEK!" Well, the truth is I have no idea what they heard because all I could hear was the thundering sound of my heart beating out of my chest like it was about to explode! The attendants turned to look at me like I had just assaulted them with my words.

Sucking air, trying to breath, I finally managed to identify myself. Without a hesitation the attendant took me out the door, down a flight of stairs (great I thought, I'm about to fall over and now I have to climb down the stairs on rubberized legs), and then she said to me, "I'm taking out onto the runway. Stay directly behind me."

She talked into a radio and continued to lead me toward a small plane that was already out on the runway with propellers spinning; they slowed and stopped. The door was opened, the stairs unfolded and the attendant said to me, "You may board Mr. Lee".

I've never heard of it before. I've never heard of it since.

It reminded me of a simple truth. Doors only open for a season. You have to be ready to act when the door is open.

Ecclesiastes 12:4 (NLT) reminds us:

Remember Him before the door to life's opportunities is closed... 

We don't like to think about it, but doors close. Opportunities are lost.

As you pray today, would you ask the Lord to give you eyes and ears of discernment to hear and see the call of God in the opportunities he places before you?

After all, the door may be closing ... and you are being paged.