an open door…
NOTE: this week’s entry is a letter I wrote in anticipation of our denomination’s pastors gathering 2 week’s ago… However, I think it might contain a word for any leader — pastoral or marketplace— who senses this moment as an opportunity to multiply God’s Kingdom presence wherever we are… to that end, I hope you might allow this entry to encourage you…
These are the words of the Holy One, the True One, who has the key of David, who opens and no one will shut, who shuts and no one opens... I know your works. Look, I have set before you an open door that no one is able to shut. I know that you have but little power, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name. (Revelation 3.7-8)
While I was praying for our gathering here in Carlsbad, this passage came to my mind and has captured my imagination. This prophetic imagery concerning the "open door" speaks to me of a momentous Gospel opportunity being set before us.
This opportunity is
not based on our own power...
not secured by our own resources...
not compromised by the adversities and challenges around us.
God opens this door of opportunity to a people who
have stewarded his mission through good works of grace
have been resilient in the face of adversity
and have been faithful to confess the Name which is above every name -- Jesus!
Western District [1], the open door before us cannot be closed -- the world can't close it, and the devil can't close it... but it is up to us to choose to walk through it.
100 years ago, a widowed single mom from Canada chose to walk through that "door," and thousands followed in her footsteps to birth a Gospel movement.[2] I am praying that during these few days, here in Carlsbad, we will embrace this Spirit-created moment, choose to walk through the door Christ is setting before us and create a new missional pathway for future generations to follow that our 4 states and the world might experience the presence, power, and promise of Jesus Christ.
... in your community and throughout the Western District as it is in heaven,
Mark
#WeAreWesternDistrict
#WeBringTheKingdom
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[1] The Western District is the area I serve. It is comprised of 4 states: Arizona, California, Nevada, and Utah.
[2] This is a reference to Aimee Semple McPherson, the founder of an interdenominational movement that eventually became the Foursquare Church. If you are interested in reading more about her, here is a great read that was actually written by a Jewish biographer!
