Keys

As a dean, one thing I always have to carry with me is my keys. I've found it necessary to take them everywhere when I'm on duty. When I first arrived, I was always trying to figure out which key opened which door. Now, I pretty much know (at least for the doors I use most often) which key to use as well as which locks have to be jiggled and coerced and which door handles you have to pull on while simultaneously turning the key to lock the door.

As I was walking today, I was thinking of how I need spiritual keys. In witnessing to people, you have to find the key to their hearts in order to influence them. They have to let you in the door in order to build a relationship. It's not an easy thing and it takes a lot of time trying to figure out which key works for which door, which door handles have to be jiggled and tugged, and which ones simply need a gentle turn. There are some doors you try and unlock but it seems like none of your keys can do the trick. However, later on you come back, try again, and the door swings wide open.

Though I've figured out how to unlock the most necessary doors here, I'm praying God can show me--wherever I go in life--how to unlock the doors to people's hearts. As I interact with others, I see hearts that not only have locked door knobs, but have quadruple dead bolts as well. Some have video surveillance cameras on the door posts with laser sensors hidden in the doorbell. Still others have big, drooling Rottweilers sitting on the porch and the yard is surrounded by an eight-food chain link fence and covered in trip wires and land mines. OK, I'm not sure if I'm getting a little carried away with my analogy, but you get the point.

Sometimes these exteriors are so intimidating and it's hard to be bold as you Bible work, canvass, or work in whatever position the Lord has placed you. It's hard to know what to do. Each door is different. Some take some tugging and some have to be dealt with gently. I guess all I can say is that when it comes to witnessing, I'm made much more aware of how inefficient and small in number my set of keys is. I'm made much more aware of how selfish, inwardly focused, and ill equipped I am.

However, Jesus said once, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20, ESV). 

Father, 
You of all people know how to open the doors to people's hearts. Lately I've been realizing how badly I need Your help. Please lend me your keys. You know what can turn the lock on each door, whether that be love shown in quality time, some kind words, a smile, or whatever it may be. Please give me a heart to love those around me. Give me the strength to do whatever it takes to show that love. And lastly, help me to trust you even when the doors continue to remain locked. 
Allie

Everything to Me--A Poem

Writing is a vent for my soul. Lately I haven't been doing enough of it though and I've been feeling the need for it. So I apologize for the lack of activity on this blog.

Tonight I had some unexpected free time. Well, technically I'm working, but there are only a few girls here and they're busy eating junk food in their rooms or working on homework or whatever. But to get the the point, I sat down with my computer thinking I should really write something, but I couldn't think of what to write. Quite a frustrating feeling.

So I decided to share a poem I wrote a while back. I really believe God inspired it. Normally it can take quite a while for me to write something like this. But this was done very quickly, a bit over a day. Glory goes to God.

Let me also just preface it by saying that I used to think that I shouldn't focus as much on messages that talk about our value to God. Well, I guess I just felt like maybe I was focusing on them too much and that I should focus on more "meaty" messages. Messages on identity, value, etc., just seemed to be kind of fluffy. However, lately I've been realizing that this is actually is a very meaty topic. It's an issue that a lot of people struggle with and I believe that the devil is really attacking people on it. And as I look around me, even people who've been Christians all their lives haven't yet begun to find their worth, value, and identity in Christ. It seems like I fail at that every day. But at the same time, I can tell God has been teaching me and showing me that if we can get this down, we can get most anything else.

The poem is written from God's perspective, showing what I imagined some of His thoughts must be as He looks at this world filled with hurting people who don't understand His love for them. I hope you're blessed by it.

Oh, and I may change the title. I'm not sure yet.

Everything To Me

I wish you could see the tears I cried

As I watched you try to end your night

Cause you didn't think you were worth this life

How can I make you see?

I wish you could see My own heart break

As I watch you, crushed under the weight

Of searching for worth, somewhere, someway

How can I make you see?

You're My symphony, My song

My treasured child all along

For you, the universe I risked

Cause I want you more than I want to exist

How can I make you see?

You're worth everything to me.

My splintered cross stands to prove

That there is nothing you could do

To earn the worth I find in you

How can I make you see?

You’re valued in and of yourself

Not for your works, beauty, or wealth

For while you were a sinner, I gave Myself

How can I make you see?

You're My symphony, My song

My treasured child all along

For you, the universe I risked

Cause I want you more than I want to exist

How can I make you see?

You're worth everything to me.

Won't you live in light of this love?

My heart aches for you to live in light of this love

How can I make you see?

You're worth everything to me.