What is it to be a gateway? I wake this morning with thoughts of gates in my head. There are many different kinds of gates in the world, with many different purposes. But the best gate is the one through which people enter in.
King David, in the 24th psalm said: ” Who, then, ascends into the presence of the Lord? And who has the privilege of entering into God’s holy place? Those who are clean- whose works and ways are pure; whose hearts are true and sealed by truth; those who never deceive, whose words are sure. They will recieve the Lord’s blessing, and righteousness given by the Savior-God. They will stand before God. For they seek the pleasure of God’s face, the God of Jacob. So wake up you living gateways! Lift up your heads, you ageless doors of destiny! Welcome the King of Glory, for He is about to come through you.” Psalm 24:4-7(passion)
This is a marvelous calling that fills me with such joy. I can think of nothing better in this world than to be the gateway of heaven to others. I recently heard my pastor say that the scent of heaven is wonderful life to some and death to others, over that which others experience we have no control; it’s just our job to be fragrant. All I want this morning is to be fragrant, to be the doorway that welcomes others in. I do not want to be as the Pharisees were, refusing to enter themselves and denying others entry. (See Matthew 23:13) For as King David also said in Psalm 34:8, “Taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him.”
In the short time that I have been in my new home, I have tasted and seen the goodness of the Father, who sits beside me nightly and watches over me in all things. The lie that when I have sinned He turns His back on me, or I am somehow thrust from His presence has disintegrated at the feet of grace. As I daily make room for more of His presence, as I make a “space and a place” (to quote my pastor) of being alone with Abba Father, of allowing grace to make the paths straight and the rough places smooth within me, I have discovered that I become even better than I could have possibly imagined. For in verse 5 of Psalm 34 David wrote, “Those who look to Him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.” I realize something valuable and precious. I and all who turn to Father God, our faces are radiant. It’s who we already are. We will never be covered with shame.
But what about those who read those words eagerly, hungrily, desperate to believe this truth, yet find it almost impossible? I have wondrous news for you, a revelation of the goodness of your Heavenly Father, whose kindness leads to repentance. The living gateway, the ageless door of destiny, that is who you are, the what, if you will. Yet so often even I ask Abba, “how do I enter in to this reality and experience this truth?” I want to know the how.
“But in the depths of my heart I truly know that you have become my Shield; you take me and surround me with yourself. Your glory covers me continually. You alone restore my courage; for you lift high my head when I bow low in shame. I have cried out to you and from your holy presence, you send me a Father’s help. Selah (pause in His presence) So now I’ll lie down and go to sleep- and I’ll awake in safety for you surround me with your glory.” Psalm 3:3-5 (passion) This is the how. Recieving and agreeing with His truth, the truth that He speaks over us, that He sings over us.
It has been a hard lesson for me to learn to simply recieve and rest in how Abba Father sees me. Because it seems too wonderful, too glorious a thing for me to conceive of or possibly attain. Yet that is His heart for His children. And make no mistake you are His child. In these last two weeks I have not even been much aware of the day or time because of His glory surrounding me. I have discovered that my receiving of His surrounding glory, my resting in His presence, brings Him such joy.
For all you who are wrestling with shame, I want you to know that shame is a lie, intended only to isolate you and keep you from the love of you Father. Your Heavenly Father never uses shame, ever. He always wants you to come into Him, for He made you, He knows you and He loves you. So as a living gateway, by the power of the blood of Jesus, I breath life into you who read these words. I breath release from shame and fear. I breath hope, peace and abundant life into you. Wake up, you living gateway, and let the Glory King come in.
Keep Your Wonder 