One of my very first memories is being at Children’s Church in the basement of the Assembly of God Church in Elgin, IL. We would sing this song at the top of our lungs:
Behold, Behold
I stand at the door
And knock, knock, knock.
Behold, Behold
I stand at the door
And knock, knock, knock.
If anyone hear my voice,
If anyone hear my voice
And will open, open, open the door
I will come in
(Cedarmont Kids version is the closest to the words I remember)
When we got to the part about “Knock, knock, knock” we would turn around and bang on the metal folding chairs behind us.
When we sang, “I will open open the door,” we would act out very dramatically the actions of opening an imaginary door and stepping through.
As an adult, I love the idea that anyone can open the door.
If He knocks, you are welcome to open up! It doesn’t matter your race, nationality, gender, or financial status. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (CSB Romans 10:13) Or in other words, everyone who calls on Jesus can be a part of God’s kingdom.
It occurs to me that this scripture is another invitation to choose. As a parent, I always wanted to direct my children to do what I thought was the very best thing for them. But part of my job as a parent is training my child to make good choices; and then stepping back and letting them do what they think is right. (Parenting was very hard for me.)
God so wants His children to choose Him.
He does not force them to open that door. If it was me, I’d say, “I know what’s best for you, so I’m using my super powers and walking right into the door of your heart.”
However, a person who is forced to love God is not what He wants!
He wants to do life with those who want Him involved. It’s your choice.
Behold, I’m standing at the door, knocking. If your heart is open to hear my voice and you open the door within, I will come in to you and feast with you, and you will feast with me. Revelation 3:20 TPT
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This post was written in response to the Five Minute Friday prompt, “behold.” In interest of full disclosure, I wrote for 5 minutes on the prompt, then took more time to look up scriptures and add photos and headings.
I’m sharing this post with the communities at Five Minute Friday and Grace & Truth, Inspire Me Monday, Remember Me Monday, Tell His Story, InstaEncouragements Link-Up, Recharge Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Tune In Thursday
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All photos created in PicMonkey by Jerralea using personal, family and stock photos. Please do not copy.
The first time I heard this children’s song was in1991 at the Christian preschool I worked at. I thought it was the sweetest little song.
They speak such simple truth about the Lord not forcing his way in our lives
I saw your blog on FMF.
Thank you! Yes, it is so true He doesn’t force; He is such a gentleman!
Fantastic post Jerri. What a lovely memory. Blessings.
Visiting today from Remember Me Monday #4 & 5
Thank you, Paula. Hope you are feeling much better!
Parenting is, indeed, challenging – yet, parenting has brought me so much closer to our Father – and into becoming a kinder, more unconditional loving person – I needed each challenge each child brought! Yes – they do have to make that choice on their own. Hands off and Hands up is hard sometimes! Maybe by the time I’m 100, I’ll be much better at it! I so enjoyed your story – what a good memory to have and share!
Thank you, Maryleigh. There is nothing I love better than sharing life stories!
It was amazing to me after waiting so long to be a parent how tough the job actually is! Thankfully, I can rely on the Lord to make up where I fail.
Parenting was/is very hard for me, too. Letting them choose and learning to let them was the hardest part. Merry Christmas!
I love the comment that He never forces the door. He is a gentleman
Jerralea, you brought back sweet memories of knocking on the metal chairs in Sunday School 🙂 We did the same thing. Parenting is indeed a challenge but may we trust that the Lord guides our children to make the right choices – may they choose Him. Blessings!
Jerralea, so true, he never forces us to open the door, it is our choice. Yes, to this sentence, “If it was me, I’d say, “I know what’s best for you, so I’m using my super powers and walking right into the door of your heart.”
Amen! Parenting is hard—especially as our children grow up and implement all we’ve taught them (and we see where our choices could have helped or hindered our children’s choices and actions). Salvation and relationship are individual—not corporate. Thank goodness Jesus keeps knocking until people are ready to open the door!
Love this post–and the song.
It still baffles me why people choose not to open the door to Him. Their lives would be so much richer with His presence. Thanks for sharing this sweet post.