This week is brought to you by the letter K, and the word knock — like knocking on a door. The original Greek language defines this term using the verb: rap. However, the history of the Old English word (cnocian) conveys “to pound or beat on a door.”

Three things I thought about this action in reading the following passage.

[“Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.”]
Matthew 7v7-8

The first is a question — Are you actually knocking? Imagine a hallway lined with doorways. Literally, take a couple of seconds and visualize it in your mind. A long corridor with closed doors side by side as far as your mind can see. (If you're like me, you can add some creativity. Avocado green color washes the walls while a variety of wood portals await my advance.🚪)

It's a real consideration, though. The hallway remains quiet, and the doors remain untouched unless you knock. And if we want to embody the earliest definition, it's more of a pound, bang, or beat! It involves some muscle 💪

Second — here is another question — Are you waiting? With many options, could come multiple outcomes. Place yourself back in the make-believe corridor. If your goal was to hit as many doors as possible, where would you actually be if one opened? Would you be too far down the passageway to notice? Would you be too busy hammering on another piece of wood? 

There may be several opportunities for us to explore, but don't overthink or overwork to make something open. Tap hard, trust God, and wait expectantly. 

The last thing – our initiative does not invalidate our faith. I know some people who believe if the Lord wants a prospect, a possibility, or a promise to be fulfilled in our life, then He will open the door for us... unprompted. He can. And He could. 

But the scripture quoted above was from Jesus in the flesh to his disciples, friends, and thousands of new followers. He, in no uncertain terms, instructed them (and us) to ask, seek, and knock.

We must assess the portals and pound away. We must wait even when it's challenging. And, just maybe, we may need to rap, tap, tap again.

Send this to someone standing in the hallway (and maybe yourself) — knock, knock!