CCC 27-3

PASS IT ON

CLOSED DOORS

AND THE WILL OF GOD

a

John Trent, Ph.D.

A friend recently sent me an anonymous quote. It reminded me of something I have heard over 40 years in many coaching and counseling sessions. I would not be surprised if it echoes something you have also heard or will hear. It is a quote about someone seeking to discern what direction God has for their life or career: “A great way to know where God wants you to work? Just watch Him close doors and just keep pressing until you find an open one. So many times, the will of God is like that thing at an amusement park with all the mirrors. You keep smashing into things, and finally, there’s an open one, and you go through. It takes persistence.” Yes, it is a quote that mixes metaphors with doors and “fun house” mirrors, but I like the raw reality it pictures. It captures both that feeling of genuinely wanting to know what direction to take and the confusion over what is real and what’s not. And there is always the real-life challenge of thinking, “I’m sure this door will open!” But then it doesn’t.

34 Christian Counseling Connection