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