Acts 10:34-36
Peter fairly exploded with his good news: “It’s God’s own truth, nothing could be plainer: God plays no favorites! It makes no difference who you are or where you’re from—if you want God and are ready to do as he says, the door is open. The Message he sent to the children of Israel—that through Jesus Christ everything is being put together again—well, he’s doing it everywhere, among everyone.
Scripture quotations from The Message. © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress, Colorado Springs, CO. All rights reserved.
On a cold, snowy February night just over 20 years ago, I stood with my friend Kathy under the portico to the Pierre Hotel in New York City and watched as stars and entertainers arrived and departed from limousines. We were in town on a business trip… the entertainers and celebrities were attending a party inside the Pierre that was being held by the executives at Arista Records to celebrate the Grammy Awards ceremony the following night. Kathy and I are both about as “southern” as they come… and when we opened our mouths, it was evident that we were NOT native New Yorkers. However, we kept quiet and tried to blend in with the crowd as I snapped photos with my camera.
A couple standing next to us began to heckle the stars and the doorman. They were being incredibly vulgar and rude, and the hotel security official shot them more than one ugly glance. He even walked over to where we were standing and asked them to pipe down, which only made the couple laugh harder and become more offensive. Finally, he insisted that this young man and woman leave the hotel property. They immediately began to question this, and the doorman told them, “You do not belong here… you are not guests of the hotel… you need to leave – NOW!” The couple protested and pointed to Kathy and me and said, “But why don’t THEY have to leave? They don’t belong here!” The doorman told them, “They are guests of the hotel.”
To be clear, we were not staying at the hotel. We had merely wandered through the lobby to take in its ornate décor, and we happened to notice Cindi Lauper and a couple of other “famous” people as we stepped back outside. So we quietly parked ourselves along a velvet rope and tried to look inconspicuous. AND… the key word most likely was “quietly”. We were not heckling anyone. We were not shouting obscenities and looking the other way, as if someone else had uttered them and we didn’t know where the offensive words originated. We were not arguing with anyone or being a bother. So we got to stay… and the doorman treated us quite kindly. And in the end, the hecklers moved along down the sidewalk (and probably crashed another party at a neighboring hotel).
I have every confidence that this entire spectacle could have been avoided. Had the couple shown a little respect and honored the doorman’s authority and position, they could have been “wannabe paparazzi” like Kathy and me. We were no better than they were. And if you want to “go there”… the celebrities we were ogling were truly no “better” either! We give far too much credence to “celebrity” in this world – at least in my book! But the point I want to make is that these people forfeited the “privilege” of standing on that hotel portico and taking in the sights by failing to respect the authority of those in charge. They did not recognize… or accept… the parameters. They were unwilling to do as they were asked. And so “the door was closed.”
Where in your life have you “closed the door” in effect… on your relationships with people…on opportunities for improvement and/or advancement… and most significantly, on God? How have you disrespected the authority and guidelines? Where have you refused to “play by the rules” and essentially cost yourself a place at the table? How have you treated the people and situations in your life… and what has been the outcome?
We make a lot of our own messes, it seems. We make life and relationship choices that alter our course… and often close a lot of doors. We can correct this… especially with God. We can recognize and respect His authority in our lives… and His will. In turn, as we begin to give God the proper reverence and regard, He will open doors for us to repair and restore relationships and the conditions of other circumstances in our lives. God can put together what we have broken… if only we will bow before Him and ask for His forgiveness… and His help.
I don’t know about you, but the one door I never want closed is the door to heaven. I never want to behave in a manner that causes me to hear God say, “You need to leave.” I hope you feel the same way… and that you will do whatever it takes today to reconnect with Him… and to repair other relationships and situations where you have been disrespectful. You can regain your place at God’s table… you can stand once again alongside the “velvet rope” and enjoy the party. The choice is totally yours. How will you decide?
©2013 Debbie Robus
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