DOOR

Those of us in the 'clergy' (I hate that word - it sounds like a disease to me - "I just got back from the doc and he says I have 'clergy') have had opportunity for off-the-record accounts with people who didn't know we were 'clergy.'

It's happened to me at the hospital, at the gym, at the grocery store, at the library, at the beach, at restaurants, you name it.

'If opportunity doesn't knock, then build a door.'  -- Milton Berle

Witness this fairly typical exchange, after the guy at the gym has used about 47 curse words, mostly beginning with 'F,' in a verbal paragraph with only 63 words total:

'So, what do you do for a living?'

'You don't want to know.'

'What do you mean, I don't want to know?'

'Just trust me.  It will ruin the rest of your workout if I tell you' (which of course piques his interest all the more).

'What are you, an IRS guy or something?'

'No.  Worse.  I'm a pastor.'

'Oh, my God.'  (Sorry, but that's pretty much the typical response.  At least it brings them closer to Jesus.)

'Why didn't you tell me that sooner?'

'I don't know; it didn't really come up until now.'

'So ... you don't really look like a pastor.'

I never tell them that's pretty much my goal (even when I'm on the clock).

At that point, you can see the mental gears churning.  The 'F' bombs reduce by at least 50%, though they don't disappear.  Either way, a door of opportunity has opened.  That's what we pray for any time we enter a place.  And when God opens it, it's up to us to walk through.

'Pray ... that God would open to us a door for the Word, to speak the mystery of Christ ... ' (Colossians 4:3)

And be blessed.