Why It’s Important to Open the Doors of Your Heart to Jesus

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There were more than 60 of us . . . 13-year-olds making a statement of faith and joining the church. Our pastor, following a long tradition, prayerfully chose a Bible verse for every person in the class.

My friends received verses like Romans 8:28, John 3:16, Isaiah 41:10, and Jeremiah 29:11.

And then he came to me, placed his hand on my head, and told me the verse he had chosen for me…

“Look! I stand at the door and knock. If you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in, and we will share a meal together as friends.”

Revelation 3:20

Why? Did he doubt my faith?

I was a good kid. My family was at church every time the doors were open. We were personal friends with the pastor’s family. Then I went home and looked up the context of my given verse.

“I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!

I correct and discipline everyone I love. So be diligent and turn from your indifference.”

Revelation 3:15–16, 19

Well, that didn’t make me feel any better.

Later as an adult, I started having a recurring dream about living in a large home that had long hallways lined with doors . . . many of which were locked.

One morning, I awakened and in my half-asleep state I heard the Lord whisper, “that’s what your heart looks like to me.” The doors of my heart were closed and locked. I had a room that held fear, another with worry, one with regrets, and another with hurts.

And Jesus was at the door knocking inviting me to flip the locks and invite Him in. He wanted full access to free me from worry, fear, and regrets. He wants to heal my heart of pain.

Through tears, I gave it all to Him. And I’ve never had that dream again.

Sometimes we can be so distracted by the things that are right in front of us that we fail to recognize the blessings God wants to give us when we fling wide the doors of our hearts. May we open our lives to the Lord and let Him fill us with His presence, power, and peace.

I believe the Holy Spirit gave that verse to my pastor specifically for me. He knew I’d need it.

A Prayer to Fling Wide the Doors of My Heart to Jesus

Lord, You have already given me so much, I don’t know how I could ever begin to thank you sufficiently. I admit that it can be hard to release things like fear, worry, regret, and pain. The enemy continues to taunt me with “what ifs” and “how could.” But You promise that when I open all the doors of my heart to You, You will help me carry my burdens (Matthew 11:28) You will give me peace (John 14:27). You forgive my confessed regrets (1 John 1:9) And You will heal my broken heart and relieve my pain (Psalm 147:3).

I come to You professing, “Lord, I believe. Help me overcome my unbelief.” Forgive my doubt. Help me surrender my all to You. Help me realize the freedom and joy of living in Your presence forever. Please give me everything I need to fling wide the doors of my heart to Your unfailing everlasting love. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen.

Jesus asked John to write the following to the church in Philadelphia:

I have opened a door for you that no one can close.

Revelation 3:8

Through His death and resurrection, Jesus made it possible for us to go through the open door of forgiveness into the Father’s presence. He made it possible for us to fall before Him in faith with fully open hearts trusting that because of His perfect love, He will today, tomorrow, and always give us everything we need to live in the power of His Spirit.

 For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.

2 Timothy 1:7

I want that! I want to invite the Lord to clean out my rooms of fear and timidity, worry, regrets, and pain. And I want Him to replace those unwanted burdens with the power, love, and self-discipline of Jesus. I want to fling wide all the doors of my heart and surrender my all to Jesus!

Will you join me?

On today’s note write:

Today, I will open all the doors of my heart to Jesus!

May you be blessed and encouraged and filled with His peace and you surrender yourself to the Lord.

Click here to read the rest of Revelation 3.

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