I was confused. After returning home from a Developing Leaders Day held at our church, I was greeted by an open front door beckoning me in. This was not the thing that confused me –

I thought one of my family saw me arriving so opened the door in joyous anticipation (I can hope!). But no one greeted me. I called “I’m home!” No one replied. I went to the back garden, No one was there. I searched the house again. No one was there. I checked the driveway. The car was still there. I decided to look for a note of explanation. No note. I checked my mobile phone for missed calls. There were none. I dialled Cathy’s mobile – it rang from within her bag on the kitchen table. I was confused.

I waited. 30 minutes. 60 minutes. 90 minutes. No clues or contact. Then there was a knock at the now closed door. It was a chirpy and exhausted missing family returned from a 3 hour bicycle adventure. Probably too quickly, I enquired why they had left the front door wide open – amazed faces questioned my sanity for asking such a stupid question. I pointed out that not ensuring the front door was actually closed before a 3 hour excursion probably qualified as a more serious error – but being convinced that they had shut the door they determined my point was pointless. Despite the door now being closed a frosty evening followed!

The problem was the front door was slightly warped and the lock temperamental – together they conspired to exploit the situation. Sometimes it would lock, other times just pretend. To counteract all pretence we would have to slam the door (like you really meant it!) but then still give it a sceptical shove to uncover any deception. Shortcut this procedure at your peril – forget and as you drove off the door would merrily swing open and wave you goodbye!

Finally, in August, the front door was replaced. But here is something that might confuse you. Despite the daily door closing rituals, the real risks that the door may open to anyone in our absence, a clear cold breeze blowing through the top (bottom, sides and letterbox!), the subtle deepening slamming damage to plasterwork (and at times our relationship!) and bizarrely our financial ability to replace the door if we put our mind to it – why did it take us years to actually do something?

A couple of times we visited showrooms and spoke to experts concerning a replacement door. We demined split-spinals were the way to go, single seal insulation suited our hallway best and clear glass brought a classic feel. We were assured that a new door would bring security up and heating bills down. We were easily convinced to the wisdom of such counsel, requested quotes and allocated the necessary funds for the task. But we just never placed the order. Perhaps we felt we were too busy to ensure someone would be at home when the workman came to fit it. Perhaps it was because we were conscious that it meant getting rid of the original door and we don’t want to get it wrong. Perhaps we wanted someone else to miraculously step in and fix things. Perhaps we kept convincing ourselves it wasn’t that bad really. I still don’t exactly know why it took so long to decide. But we finally did, and it’s good.

As we move into another autumn, winding up from the summer slowdown, can I encourage you to stop and ponder for a moment? Before us as a church family are a number of challenges and opportunities; multiple ministries are kicking back into action; seeking to serve young and old, those who know Jesus and those more on the fringe. Newcomers need to be embraced and befriended whilst fellow members encouraged to go deeper into God – and then there is the challenge of a new building whilst squeezing people into our present building.

Can I encourage you to ponder - what has God been asking you to do for a while that you haven’t managed to do yet? It may be something big or something small, to join a small group, to join a serving team, to start something new, to spend more time with Jesus or to allow Jesus to shine more brightly through you everywhere you go. It is important to resist the temptation of quickly embracing the reasons why we have not done them in the past – they may be good reasons, or perhaps they are reasons you need to question. Our call is to follow Jesus. When Jesus calls us to do something, we can trust that His has a clear and good reason. This one thing I know, saying “Yes” to Jesus, deciding to say “God first” will seriously impact your life, your family, your work place, your small group, your ministry team, our church and beyond. Let’s not miss out. 

With a gentle tug and twist of the handle our front door easily closes and a 5-point locking system moves into action, the cold drafts are gone and the plasterwork stable – why didn’t we sort it earlier?

Mark Madavan