How to Engage with Jesus as the Door? | John 10:9

        A college friend of my husband used to do a special practice. Every morning, she would wake up and spend time in bed talking to Jesus. Beginning her day with a simple, "Good morning, Jesus," she carried out this routine consistently for a year and a half. Each day, at 4 a.m., for 5 minutes, she would engage in this heartfelt conversation.

Then, on a surprising and joyous day, Jesus actually came in person to talk with her, much to her surprise & the delight of every listener. She found Jesus sitting on the edge of her bed, physically present and smiling as if He had been waiting just for her, like in the picture here. This unexpected event showed how their strong bond and her dedication led to this special moment.

The Comforter Art Print by Greg Olsen

            Here is something I have been practicing lately, which I would like to call 'Engaging with Jesus - The Door'. John 10:9 states that Jesus is the door. 

I am the door. If anyone enters by Me, he will be saved, and will go in and out and find pasture.

So how did I start to practice this?

It was my husband who gave me the idea of engaging with Jesus as the door. One day, he asked me to imagine a door in front of me, believing it was Jesus. The concept of engaging with Jesus as a door was something I had never considered before, and I found myself drawn to this new idea. Closing my eyes, I visualized a dark brown wooden door in the canvas of my imagination. Guiding me through each step, he led me to place my left palm on the knob and gently push it open, revealing a brilliant golden light on the other side.

As he continued, the image of the door and the radiant light came to life in my mind. I couldn't help but marvel at the power of imagination and its potential for such an intimate and profound encounter with the divine. Upon opening the door, I found myself instantly inside Jesus's office room. A large wooden table and a chair were positioned behind it. Surprisingly, the table was empty, prompting me to reflect on how God's word never returns void proving He alone is God. Every prayer reaches Him, and He doesn't leave any matter unresolved from His end.

Seated on the wooden chair was Jesus, with an angel beside Him on his left. His beaming countenance drew my gaze, while the angel's evident elation in my presence warmed my heart. Contemplating my next move, I noticed Jesus gesturing for me to take a seat. Three wooden chairs were arranged opposite Him, and I moved the one on the right slightly back before settling down across from God Himself. A smile spread across my face as He returned it with matchless warmth. Although I had much to express, I felt uncertain about where to begin. Consequently, He extended His hands, palms upward, onto the table.

Without hesitation, I grasped the opportunity and held His hands. I saw the dark wood visible through the holes in His wrists — the only imperfection in His otherwise flawless body, and it served as a reminder of His sacrifice so that I could achieve perfection as He is. Gently, I squeezed His hands, my cheeks adorned with tears that journeyed down and found rest upon the table's surface. For a moment, I pondered how tears could escape through tightly closed eyes. Then, I started to pour out everything that burdened my heart. The small things, the significant matters, the intriguing, and even the embarrassing ones —I presented it all before him like a confidant baby to his mother. Throughout, I sensed Jesus listening attentively, devoid of interruption or impatience. I felt His perfect peace wash over me as I finished venting. Indeed, I had taken my time.

Then, it was His turn to speak. As His soft voice reached my ears, I found it to be the most exquisite voice in existence - tender yet so so powerful. Every word He uttered was exactly what I needed to hear— everything that my heart and soul sought. His words contained instructions, assurances, solace, and gentle reprimands—each a gift of profound significance. Another angel, positioned to His right at a smaller table, diligently transcribed not only my spoken words but also my thoughts, desires, requests, and prayers. After inscribing my words, the angel meticulously added Jesus's own words and the promises He had spoken to me. When His words had been fully spoken, He turned to me and inquired if I was prepared to follow the path He had laid out in His discourse. Tearfully, I nodded my affirmation, whispering, 'Always, Lord!'

He shifted His gaze to the angel on his left and signaled for the scroll. Taking it into His hands, He bestowed His kingly approval with a stamp, and  graced it with His signature, 'Yeshua Hamasiach,' penned in His beautiful handwriting, for He is altogether beautiful. Then He handed it to the angel on His left. This meticulous process ensured that the promises and guidance detailed in the scroll would come to fruition in my life. With a nod and a smile towards me, and a solemn sense of duty towards my Lord, the angel departed to ensure that what was needed would take place, just as Jesus had approved. I remained seated, my heart full of gratitude for His unwavering promises and words that held steadfast, never returning void. Before my eyes, I witnessed the unfolding of these petitions and requests in my life, just as Jesus had promised through His divine word.

As time stretched on during my engagement with Him, I gradually opened my eyes. Several precious minutes had slipped by, and my husband had thoughtfully stepped away, leaving me to commune with Jesus in my own personal way. It was at that moment I realized that this physical world, as real as it may seem, is only a smaller facet of the vast spiritual realm we inhabit. The minutes I spent with Jesus felt more palpable and substantial in the realm of my imagination than the tangible surroundings that enveloped me. The desire for more of these encounters lingered within me, a longing that I carried forward into the days ahead.

Does our imagination matter?

Our thoughts are words in the spiritual realm. That is why we must be careful with them. Scripture instructs us to renew our mind and bring every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ. In the realm of the spiritual, our imagination holds the power to shape reality. The Holy Spirit stands ever-ready, eager to engage with us. What God earnestly desires from us is honesty and consecration, the practice of discipline and unwavering consistency — with total submission and surrender of our hearts to Him. 

If we steadfastly uphold these principles, Jesus will meet us at the threshold of our faith, just as He did with my husband's college friend. In a world characterized by rapidity and the ceaseless influx of fleeting thoughts and images, God's desire remains unchanged—to commune with us individually, intimately. Amid the clamor of the mundane, let us challenge the norms of the day and instead follow Jesus on a path of meditation, consecration, discipline, and steadfast consistency. In doing so, we invite life-changing encounters that not only transform us personally but also fortify the collective body of Christ.

As we listen to these incredible stories, let's think: Are we ready for our own adventure with Jesus? 

It would mean staying committed and dedicated,  sacrificing a lot and staying on course, and most importantly letting Him in one hundred percent. In doing that, we might find a special connection with God that's even better than we thought, quite contrary to the religious picture of faith painted by modern day Pharisees. So, let's not just watch these stories from a distance. Let's take a brave step and see what amazing things can happen when we let Jesus be Lord of our life, for real!