“Behold, I stand at the door and knock.”
In western Africa, there stands a dilapidated building overlooking the Atlantic ocean. The existing threshold of one doorway still stands. It is known as The Door of No Return.
Here, less than two centuries ago, many people from the African continent were auctioned and sold to the highest bidder for shipment to the New World. For most, this portal was the place they viewed their native land before being consigned to a life of slavery—The Door of No Return.
Although the years have come and gone, and sweeping changes among people and nations have carried us into the 21st century, there are still many who are enslaved, even in our culture of freedom and prosperity.
Consider, for example, the many doorways of no return which exist all around us—doorways to drug and alcohol addiction, doorways of depression, doorways of self-centeredness or self-absorption,doorways of sexual addiction or abuse, doorways of racism and violence…
As youth leaders, there are many doorways we can open to teenagers who are abused, afraid, depressed or in despair. We can open doorways of faith, doorways of hope, doorways leading to forgiveness and love.
Or, as Jesus once said, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. Whoever hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in.”
Many people may leave through a door of no return, but with God, every closed door can be opened to a new way of life; every dead end can lead to a new path. There is no life without hope. What a gospel we represent to our teenagers.
