Close your door
Upsetting the afternoon
It was a warm Sunday afternoon, and we were in the
shade enjoying the not-so-cold Richards Bay winter. It was a tranquil
atmosphere until the commotion began. Suddenly chattering displaced the quiet
of the afternoon because our ‘landlords’ decided to pay us their usual visit. Vervet monkeys
rule the roost in my area. They are a protected species and no matter the
damage they do, we can’t do anything to chase them away for long. All we can do
is protect ourselves against them. Consequently, they have become so bold that
they just sit and stare at us as we make a show of chasing them off our
property. Sometimes they go as far as taunting us and destroying our plants. And
what can we do? Nothing! The law is on their side. Maybe, the law is right as we
may be at fault here because this is their natural habitat, and we may be seen
as encroaching. Anyway, that is a discussion
for another day.
With the law pampering them to our hurt, the only
sources of protection are the door, window, or wall that stand between us. They regularly come to eat the dogs’ food and
the dogs usually go into hiding. I was ready to castigate our dogs until I
noticed that our neighbour's dogs behaved the same way – they all cowered when
they saw the monkeys.
Come in – the door is open
As the monkeys moved in on the dogs’ bowls, my husband
ran to bring the bowls inside and, in the process, forgot to close the door
behind him. A big monkey considered the open door an invitation to come in and
it came right into the kitchen to help itself to whatever it could. While
trying to salvage the dog’s food, we gave free rein to the monkey by leaving
the door open.
After all the huffing and puffing to get it out of the
house, we reminded ourselves how important it was to keep windows and doors closed
at all times because we never know when the monkeys will come. Sometimes, I
feel that the house is stuffy and that we need fresh air, so I sit and keep my
eyes on the doors or windows. It is an annoying but necessary action if I don’t
want monkeys in my house. I am helpless when it comes to keeping them out. All
I can do is secure the house by keeping windows and doors closed or keep my
eyes on them if opened. I cannot complain if they take open doors and windows
as special invitations for them to come in. Can I?
Likewise…?
Likewise, shouldn’t we just close to the door to those
things that are injurious to us or easily succumb to when tempted? Paul talks
about sins that so easily beset us in Hebrews 12:1. If you know that you are susceptible to a
particular thing that is not beneficial to you, why play around it? For
example, what is a recovering alcoholic doing in a bar? If he stays there long
enough, his resolve will surely wear out. Many of us think that we are self-disciplined,
very spiritual and cannot fall into sin – so felt the pastor who began having
affairs with women in his congregation.
Flee
Keeping the door closed against yielding to temptation
requires common sense, not spirituality. 2 Timothy 2:22
uses the word ‘flee’ for a specific reason. Joseph did not
negotiate or rationalise with Potiphar’s wife – he fled. But many of us play
around sin because we secretly desire it and only waiting for an opportune time
to engage in it.
Be Accountable
It is common sense to have a friend who can speak
sense into us if we try to leave the door open, but unfortunately, many of us
seek ‘yes men’ or flock with birds of the same feather. If we desire to close
the door, we need to choose our friends wisely. We don’t need people who will
kick us when we are down or those who are too timid to call us out if need be.
We need those who love us enough to disagree with us or call us to order
without tearing us down.
Learn strategies
Many of us fail at keeping the door closed because we
don’t know how; we don’t know how to behave in any other way. Some grew up with
terrible examples and it is difficult to unlearn what they have imbibed. There
are many groups that provide guidance, mentoring or sponsorship to help. Read
about others who have overcome what you are struggling with. Read and memorise
what the Lord says about it. I find it very useful to remember that an angry man is a
stupid person.
Keeping out and keeping in
Doors are good – they keep the bad out and protect the
good inside. We can close our door to sin, and it is wonderful to know that
God, our father, closes the door against evil for us. Imagine what our lives
will be like if He doesn’t stand guard at the door of our lives to ensure that
nothing untoward goes in. As much as we pray for open doors, we can also thank
God for closed doors. What a blessing that no one can open the door He closes and what he
locks out stays out.
We don’t have to think about closing our doors against
the vervet monkeys – it is a necessity. If you leave your door open, monkeys
will come in. When they do, you will be the one at fault and at a loss.
Keep your door closed.
I Bi Dem
How I love this message. You surely draw a wonderful picture I can relate to. It is important to keep watch. The doors, walls and windows offers us protection when we are behind them, in them. My thoughts drift to, what if we choose not be behind them, we are completely exposed and amongst the monkeys, the sin, it will require an invitation to come into a place of protection. That is the beauty of our God, He calls us, we respond, He takes us in and suddenly we see the monkeys (sin) for who and what they are.
ReplyDeleteI had to come back to read this a second time because I enjoyed reading it so much previously. I laughed really hard. I think it’s my favorite from your stable so far. It was very well written. That’s the true professional that you are. Thanks for making my day when I first read it, and making my day today again. 💕 ...Awesome message too! It’s very important that I keep shutting my door against the unwanted -always. And this applies spiritually and physically.😊
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