Doors

by Matt Laney | published on Feb 18, 2025

Jesus said, “For everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Is there anyone among you who, if your child asks for bread, will give a stone?” Matthew 7:8-9 (NRSV) 

“When God closes a door, God opens a window” sounds biblical but isn’t. 

Here’s the problem with “When God closes a door…”: the God of the Bible is in the business of opening doors, not closing them.  

Many of us know what it’s like to have the church doors closed in our face in the name of God who is obviously a false and hijacked god. As Jesus points out in Matthew 7, a god who is less caring than we would be to our own children is not worthy of our worship. 

To those who believe God condemns people to hell, ask: “Would you send your child to eternal torment for who they are or for their mistakes?” Of course not. No decent parent would do that. If we wouldn’t treat our kids that way, as imperfect as we are, we know God’s love is even greater. 

Those who follow an abusive, punishing, door-closing, crucifying god need the bread of the gospel like nothing else.  

Prayer
Caring and life-giving God, give us compassion for those who prefer doors to be closed rather than open and who prefer stones over bread.

Matt LaneyAbout the Author
Matt Laney is co-Pastor of Virginia Highland Church UCC in Atlanta, GA and the author of Pride Wars, a fantasy series published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt for Young Readers. The first two books, The Spinner Prince and The Four Guardians are available now.