Gates

Have you ever wondered how the months got their names? The month of January is named after Janus; Roman God of gates and doorways.  Janus was always portrayed as having two faces, one looking forward, one backward. Traditionally, we spend our time in thinking about what we will do differently this year than what we did last year. Maybe instead of thinking about what we should DO differently maybe we should concentrate on what we could BE differently this year.   I suggest we become gates. Think about what does a gate do? More than just open and close. Jesus said in John 10:9 “I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture.”  
Growing up on a ranch one of the many lessons taught is when you are moving livestock to a new place whether it’s a pen or pasture was that the gate that the animal went through must be open inward so that there is plenty of space for them to go through.   On the reverse side when letting animals out the gates must swing outward for the same reason.  If  we wanted to pen the livestock at night, we would also leave the gates open and feed the livestock in the pen so they would get in the habit of returning to the pen at night.   As the church (the body of Christ) our gates must always swing inward and outward so that those seeking to know Christ will be able to come without any hesitation or struggle or fear. Once someone has come to know Christ they have that freedom. To be able “to come in and go out” is describing a life that is absolutely secure and safe in Christ.  In this day and age we all want to feel secure and safe. Not just with locks, but with technology, we have the ability to secure our homes our vehicles, even our social security numbers (does anyone besides me see the irony in that?) With salvation in Jesus we can have confidence that whatever is set before us, no matter what God calls on us to accomplish, our safety does not depend on ourselves, our safety depends on a strong dependable gate, Jesus Christ.  It’s permanent! It’s solid. It is welcoming for those coming in and encouraging for those going out that they can always return. This year, let’s be gates!
Grace & Peace
Blan Chrane