"I just keep knocking on doors. It's how God shows me
the way. I'm too thickheaded to know the way otherwise."
That's what I wrote to a friend one day and struck myself with the simple truth of it. God's plan for us works just that way. It really is that simple.

You have no doubt heard the saying, "God doesn't allow a door to close without opening another." No argument there. In fact God really makes effective use of doors. Doors have everything to do with God's plan for you and me.

For years now Barbara and I have known that we were exactly where God wanted us, exactly, which includes a number of places in different parts of the United States. How could we be so sure? You can be sure, too. Read on.

It's a simple plan, really. Just knock on all the doors, put them in God's hands, and don't fret over the ones that don't open. God might not want you there, or your timing is off, or someone else's timing is off. It's not possible for us to know this, but I do know one thing. You don't want to be where God doesn't want you, right?

Okay here's the deal. It's easy to know where God wants you. If you see an opportunity, go for it. Offer to help. If you are meant to be in that situation, God will arrange everything. There are times when everything is already arranged, and all that is needed is for you to step in. At other times you might not be the one God wants there, or he has another plan for you. But you offered. You are either in or out because God wants it that way.

I can assure you that if you offer with God's help in all the areas of need that fit your background and capabilities, you will always have exciting opportunities coming your way (even the tough ones are somehow rewarding). You can do this by expressing interest or making an offer and letting God work out the rest. You will know how he works it out when you find yourself in or out of the situation.

If you are willing to follow God's lead but, like me, you're sometimes unable to hear his voice above the noise all around, use the open doors to guide you and the closed ones to stay out of trouble. Simple enough?

And remember that Jesus is coming back for his people. His message is, "Behold I stand at the door [of your heart] and knock." See, even Jesus is found only where he is wanted.

"Wait," you say, "it's just not that simple."

I know you're thinking, What about hardship and suffering? Could that be all that God wants for some of us?

Well even when you're suffering, he has a plan for you, and you need to be where he wants you. The situation might call for a lot more trust.

So put your trust in God. Don't get bogged down in difficulty. Get through hardship with his help as quickly as you can. Look back on your trials as something that toughened and taught you. That's also part of his plan. There are more challenges ahead; be equipped for them.
Doors
Cats hate them, but humans need to pay attention.
And while it's easy to know where God wants you, the next problem is figuring out why he wants you there. That one is usually not so simple.
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Don't beat down ev'ry door
when knocking is much simpler.
You don't have to climb every mountain.
You don't need to swim every stream.
Slow down.
Be where He wants you to be,
and then give it all your energy.
                                              ... unknown