Have you ever had one of those days when no one seemed close to you? One of those days when everyone was far away and no one understood you. I’ve had those days before. I recall, especially when I met my wife, when I was learning and growing in my faith I felt like this a lot.
Most of my friends didn’t understand what I was doing and didn’t like the fact that I was changing. I found a scripture that reminded me that even in what seems to be some of the worst times in our lives Jesus is always there for us. Revelation 3:20 “Behold I stand at the door and know. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will enter his house and dine with him, and he with me.” As simple as this scripture seems it had a profound impact on me.
I thought about dinner at my parents house both growing up and now. During the normal day my family didn’t have much contact with each other. I would be off at practices, gigs or just hanging out with friends; my parents at work, my siblings at work or off at college. When the evening rolled around more times than not we were all together for dinner. At dinner is when we would have the time to get to know what we did during the day, how we were feeling and other details about each other. Dinner time is a great memory for me.
Sometimes I eat by myself. My wife can’t understand how I can go to a restaurant and eat alone. For me it is about the food if I do that. Of course I prefer to have someone there with me but I only eat alone for two reasons: 1. I am hungry; 2. There is no one else available to eat with me.
What does this have to do with being alone and the scripture from Revelation? Jesus is always there for us. No matter how long we have been away, no matter what we have done, no matter what we need he is knocking on our door. We just need to answer it. Jesus says he wants to dine with us. Think about the dinner I described. He wants to get to know us better. He doesn’t just want to come over and watch TV. He wants to share and listen.
The only reason Jesus doesn’t come in is because we won’t let him in. Unlock your door, open it, let Him in. You won’t regret it. This Lent I have worked on my spiritual life a lot and I feel that I am closer to Christ than I ever have been. I’ve opened my door a little more for Christ to come in. I know I can open my door more, and I’m working on doing that. Here are some ways to “open your door” so Christ can come more fully into your life:
- Daily prayer! I’m not that great at praying. My prayer life has been a struggle for me. It took me a long time to find a way to pray daily. I found the Liturgy of the Hours has helped me start to pray regularly. This structured daily prayer has help the Holy Spirit open up my mind and heart to be able to pray more sincerely and with less distractions. Finding your prayer style is key!
- Allow Christ to assist you in your daily trials. I’ve always done things by myself and for myself. I’ve told myself I’m strong and I can handle it, or I thought I let Christ do the work but I really did it all. Letting go of your trials and remembering Christ on the cross has helped me tremendously grow closer to Him.
- Regular Reconciliation. Don’t be scared, be forgiven. There is so much freedom, grace and love when you receive this sacrament. Find a good confessor and go to him regularly.
- Mass. Attend Mass and receive the Eucharist.
Lastly, I’d like to share the lyrics to a song I wrote with the scripture in mind.
So Lonely
Words and music by Justin Combs
Here I set this feast
All around my wretched table.
There’s plenty here to eat,
But it’s lonely here, oh so lonely
But at the door, there’s a guest just waiting, cold and hungry, but I ignore the beat
He wraps upon the door, only disturbing, the loneliness that I made
The food is so delightful, but it’s so lonely here
And it’s so quiet and nothing’s on my mind
But everything I’m missing seems to find me, if I would only open the door.
But at the door, there’s a guest just waiting, cold and hungry, but I ignore the beat
He wraps upon the door, only disturbing, the loneliness that I made
He stands at the door and knocks; if I would only answer I would not be so lonely here
But at the door, there’s a guest just waiting, cold and hungry, but I ignore the beat
He wraps upon the door, only disturbing, the loneliness that I made
I let him in and he ate with me,
I let him in and he dined with me
I let him in and talked with me
Now it’s not lonely here,
No not so lonely here
No never lonely here
