“Jesus said, ‘I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.’” John 10:9
O.K. I have to admit… we actually said it! Having tried EVERYTHING we read or could think of, we could not get our garage door to open. We’ve had that same door for over 30 years. The car, less than a week. FOUR of us read the manual and even watched a video on how to program the new car to open up the old door… but nada! Not even the magic words worked!
In the book, Ali Baba is collecting wood in the forest when he stumbles upon a gang of 40 thieves, who are visiting their hidden treasure. It is stored in a cave with a magical door that can be opened by saying, “Open Sesame!” Almost everyone knows the words, even if they don’t know the story. To keep the mood light, we said them in fun! Then went inside and pushed the garage door button!
I may not know how to program my garage door with the new car. But I DO know that I am doing SOMETHING WRONG! It’s not the door, it’s me! Because of my brain, understanding or lack of knowledge, I am not capable of getting this door open on my own. I need help! But I am not worried in the least because, “I KNOW PEOPLE!” People who are smarter than me when it comes to such things.
“Open,” is a verb. An action. Something I DO! It’s not a wish, hope or wanna! It is an ACTION. And Jesus Christ, The Savior and Lord of the Universe, tells me that if I want to go through the Door that leads to Heaven, ‘I MUST GO THROUGH HIM!’ invented tricks and ulterior methods will not work. Only Jesus! Because Salvation is a VERB that only HE controls!
Today is election day. In Sarasota County, TODAY is the day people can CHOOSE our leaders. Because we all follow SOMEONE, it is a privilege to have the right to VOTE for our leaders. And NOTHING is more important this election, than changing the direction of our school’s leadership. Evil has been reigning and it’s time to stop it. But like ‘Open’ and ‘Salvation,’ VOTE is a verb! Ya gotta DO it!
I have attached a sample ballot which was put together by a group of strong fellow believers in Jesus. Because of my position, I wasn’t on the panel. But I AM passing it on. Because I tire of complainers who, just like my garage door, only stand there shouting and complaining, but not DOING what it takes to get the door open and the job done!
This weekend I have VERY smart kids who are coming to my house for a get together. We even call one of them ‘Gig.’ because of his computer prowess. I know Gig like I know Jesus! And I know all I have to do is ASK if I want that stubborn old door to open. And I will!
Are YOU programmed for Heaven? Oh… and have YOU voted?
