Locked Away

The last morning of the recently concluded World Missions Summit I went into the bathroom to gather my effects.  For some reason, I closed the door behind me.  As I did so, the locking mechanism fell off in my hands.  The hotel was constructed very well- thick concrete walls, ornate marble floors, solid wooden doors.... all except for the locks.  Quickly, I tried my hand at picking the lock, putting leverage on the door, pushing, pulling, etc...  All to no effect.

  My ride to the airport was coming to pick me up in 30 minutes. I started to sweat.  A sick feeling engulfed me as I realized there was no way I was getting out of the bathroom without some outside intervention.  My hands began trembling.  I shouted.  I kicked the door.  I pounded the walls with the feeling that I was buried alive in some rock solid tomb.  5 minutes.  "Help! I'm in the bathroom. I can't get out."  10 minutes.  I hit the walls more furiously.  15 minutes.  My voice began giving out. Please I need out!" Just as I was about to give up all hope- "errr.....excuse me...sir....is there something wrong" came the distant voice. I thundered back in response- "yes, I'm stuck in the bathroom".  The voice was incredulous- "you're what sir???"  

With great diplomatic tact I yelled back "I'm stuck in the bathroom...stop joking around and let me out."  I heard the outside door click, then the bathroom door click.  Freedom!!!  I have never been so happy to see the interior of a hotel room in my entire life.  I raced into the hallway to thank my savior. She was moving very quickly the other way.  "Wait ma'am....thank you" I called after her.  "Your business is your business sir!"  "What???? the lock broke!!! You need to fix it " After much persuasion the cleaning maid finally came back to verify my story.  

Doors are such interesting devices.  When they work properly, they are quite useful keeping bad things out and good things in.  BUT when they malfunction.....    2009 is a year of unprecedented open doors for the body of Christ. I believe places where we have been stuck pounding on the walls and shouting are suddenly going to come flying open! Open doors in our ministries, families, and personal walk with the Lord.  May the Lord fling them wide open. And may we  be READY to walk into greater dimensions of freedom, authority, and anointing.....no matter what anybody else thinks!