Embracing Open Doors: The Courage to Accept God's Invitations

By: Molly Kreikemeier

“8 I know your deeds. See, I have placed before you an open door that no one can shut. I know that you have little strength, yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.” (Revelation 3:8)

In our lives, we receive many types of invitations, some are formal, like weddings, birthday parties, and baby showers, and others more casual, like a friend asking us to grab ice cream or study together at the library. These invitations, whether written in elegant cursive on a card or sent through a quick text, all share a common theme: someone is asking us to join them, to share time, and to be part of something. And yet, with each invitation, there’s a sense of uncertainty. We often wonder if we should go, if we’ll know anyone, or if we’ll be out of place. But despite those questions, we are left with the choice of accepting or declining the invitation.

I remember my very first hangout with my friend Poppy in seventh grade. I had just moved to a new school, and I barely knew anyone. One day, Poppy invited me to a pre-party before a big field hockey game against our rival school. I almost said no. We had only known each other for a few weeks, and I didn’t recognize any of the names of the other people going. But something in my gut told me to say yes. The night before, I lay in bed researching conversation starters while I was filled with nerves. The next day, she picked me up, and we went to the pre-party and then to the game. It wasn’t perfect, there were plenty of awkward silences, but the simple yes marked the beginning of our friendship. We grew closer, started hanging out more often, and now she is one of my best friends. I’m so thankful I accepted her invitation, even though it meant stepping out of my comfort zone.

In our spiritual lives, God also places invitations before us. These are “open doors” that no one else can shut. Sometimes they’re obvious, like being asked to join a retreat or lead a youth group session. Other times, they’re quieter, like a feeling in your heart to spend time in prayer or to open your Bible after a long day. Revelation 3:8 reminds us that even when we feel like we have little strength, God sees our efforts to stay faithful. The doors He opens for us may lead into the unfamiliar, but they are always opportunities to grow closer to Him. No one else can close the doors He’s placed in front of you, and He will keep holding them open until you walk through. All He asks is for us to take the first step, even when it’s uncomfortable.

Think about the disciples. When Jesus called them, they left behind everything they knew—their jobs, their homes, even their families. They stepped away from the familiar and embraced a life of uncertainty because they believed in the invitation Jesus offered them. That one decision to follow changed the course of their lives and the lives of countless others. Their courage to say yes to something unknown became the foundation of the Church itself. Sometimes, following God means leaving behind comfort to fulfill a greater purpose.

St. Catherine of Siena once said, “Be who God meant you to be and you will set the world on fire.” That fire starts with one decision which is to say yes to God’s invitation. When we walk through the open doors He made for us, we begin to live the life He created for each of us. 

I would like to end off with a prayer:

"God, help us to recognize the open doors You place in our lives. Give us the courage to say yes, even when it’s hard, and the faith to believe that You walk with us every step of the way and help us 'set the world on fire.' Amen."