If, like me, you’ve gotten to a store only to find that you’d misread their “open hours” sign and ended up staring morosely at locked doors, this is for you.
I don’t often have epiphany moments, but this became one. As I tried to figure out how I could have missed closing time by an hour (and simultaneously mentally justifying myself), I had a sudden thought.
What if God had business hours? What if, just because He can, God took off early? Can you imagine?
“Sorry, I’m out of the office. Will address your request when I return.”
“The number you have dialed is not available right now. Please try again later.”
Or even “Please press 1 to make an appointment.”
We might chuckle at the mental picture of God chilling at some heavenly resort, but it’s actually a sobering thought. As I reflected on it, I asked myself, Could I get along without God for a day? Part of a day? It didn’t take long for me to realize I dare not even try.
The wonderful truth about God the Father, Jesus the Son, and the Holy Spirit is that all we who believe have full access, 24/7/365, to all their help, power, wisdom, and love. We’re never left staring at a “Back in 10 minutes” sign on God’s office door. Jesus never declines our calls, and the Holy Spirit doesn’t say, “I’ll get back to you tomorrow.”
In fact, God’s “open hours” sign reads something like this:
“I’m here for you always. Even if every other door closes to you. I’m not going anywhere.” 1
“Remember that time when you were hopeless, and I rescued you? Well, I can do that again. Just trust Me.” 2
“Respect My rules, and you can have absolutely anything that’s good for you.” 3
So let’s not treat God as our last option, the one that we resort to only if “regular things” don’t work out. Let’s visit Him first thing in the morning, last thing at night, and all the hours in between. Any time, any day, His door is always open.