The Whispers of God

While rushing around the old part of town, in an effort to work down my “to-do” list, I spotted an antique store. A quick jump in adrenaline drew me to this store and a foreign feeling of wanting to explore—inside a store—overcame me.

This was not a very good idea considering my two young children “helping” me that day. Browsing through this store filled with delicate old things presented more of a torture than enjoyment. But, in I went with each child’s hand firmly held in one of mine, and feeling quite aware of my lack of good sense.

My dread faded the moment we entered and I became like a child looking for buried treasure. I had no idea the Lord drew me into this place to unearth a gift from Him. We didn’t browse through the store. Instead, it felt like a line had been tied to my heart, and it was reeling me in to stand in front of a picture hanging on the wall. And there I stood—staring—not even thinking of moving—not knowing what it meant—and not caring—but simply enjoying. I must have looked like an art student in a museum studying the lines and meanings of a portrait done by a famous artist.

It was a 5″ x 7″ print of an old-world painting. The petite blonde girl in the picture is stretching on her tip-toes and reaching with her right hand to grab hold of the tarnished brass knocker on a faded green door. In her left arm she carries a basket full of her hidden gifts covered with a white cloth. I was so captivated by this picture I hadn’t noticed the store clerk standing behind me until she whispered in my ear.

“I like the picture, too. It reminds me of ‘Little Red Riding Hood.’ ”

To my astonishment and horror, I heard myself blurt out in a rather high squeal, “No! Not Little Red Riding Hood!—That means the Big-Bad-Wolf is inside!”

I began to think quicker than I’ve ever done in my life to devise a plan—a plan to get out of the store without having to turn around and face this woman, and my humiliation. But, before I could make good on any of my plans she said calmly, and without a hint of shock or ridicule at my outburst,

“Yes. He’s inside, but he can’t really hurt her. Don’t you remember the end of the story?”

I smiled thinking of the children’s story and felt comfort from the Lord. Without taking my eyes off my new little hooded friend I said in a now softer lower tone, “How much is the picture? I think I would like to take her home with me.”

At that time in my life I was experiencing great changes brought about though stepping out in the giftings God had given me. And through this spontaneous, and I might add humiliating, outburst the Lord began to reveal to me the many fears holding me back from living a victorious life, and entering through the door Jesus placed in front of me.

Fears of success. Fears of failure. Painful memories of jealous people and the unnerving feeling of not knowing what the future would hold behind this door in my life.

My little girl, as I affectionately call this picture, is such an encouragement to me. She is usually found next to my desk, where I do most of my writing. She comforts me as I remember the things I heard in my heart that day in the antique store.

This little girl is symbolic of the believers in Christ. She is the betrothed bride who is still growing and maturing. She is reaching with all her ability, and as she reaches she stretches her faith—and grows. She brings her gifts in her basket, although she may not have discovered what all of them are just yet. And Jesus speaks into her heart as He did mine on that day in the antique store,

Stretch as high as you can, but though you are not yet able to touch even the knocker on the door, I am the one who will open the door for you when it is time to share the gifts I have given you. And don’t worry or be anxious because . . .

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.” So we can confidently say, “The Lord is my helper; I will not fear; what can man do to me?” (Hebrews 13:5-6/ESV).

I love this picture. I don’t need to fear the Big-Bad-Wolf, because I know the end of the story—the wolf is destroyed and Little Red Ridding Hood lives happily-ever-after. I don’t need to be anxious because when God wants a door opened—it will be done—in His time and of His doing. And all He expects me to do is to stretch myself to the best of my ability to do what I can where I am—and to follow Him with trust and enter through the door He places in front of me.

What door has Jesus placed in front of you? Is anything holding you back from entering? No matter what is behind the door—we can trust the Lord with our future—He’s told us the end of the story.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He shall direct your paths” (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV).