This has been my life verse for a while now, and I always thought of it as a pretty small job; you know, he would rather be a doorkeeper. But on more thought I realized it’s actually somewhat of an important job. What? How could a doorman be an important job?
Well, what does a doorman do? The most obvious thing is that he opens the door for people to come in. Yes, he helps people get into the hotel, big deal. But let’s “spiritualize” this (no I am not going weird on you). What are we, as Christians, commanded to do? “Go ye into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” ~ Mk 16:15 That’s right-we are to open the door to Christ, and to seek out people who will come in(Lk 14:21-23). But the doorman’s job doesn’t stop at simply opening the door; that would be too easy. A real doorman will help you get your luggage into the hotel as well. This can not be letting in the baggage of the World with the new believer, but is helping the brethren (new and old) out with their struggles, etc. (Ph 2:4)
If you think about it, a doorman not only lets people in, he keeps certain things out. How would it look if the Ritz let all the homeless people on their street hang out in the lobby? Or lets in an unsavoury character? Rich people pay more so that they aren’t bothered by these types of people. (Eph 4:14) Are you keeping sin out of your life? Are you on the lookout for false doctrine and teachers? They are out there, and they will try to get in to your life, your family, your church. You must be on the alert outside your door.
One last thing. When you look at a hotel, what do you see? You know the name, you can see the sign, the outside of the building looks good, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the inside is good. Hotel chains have standards, but unfortunately, not all places will always match up; or you might be looking at one that isn’t part of a chain. But if you look at the employees, their appearance will nearly always tell you what that place is like. Take that Ritz for an example again. The doorman is almost certainly more dressed up than you (unless you’re actually staying there). Am I saying you you should live your whole life in a suit, that anywhere you go you better be dressed up? No, I’m simply saying that those employees know what they are representing and they dress the part. And they act it as well. You are an ambassador for Christ-can people tell? Would they want to be like you? (Mt 5:16)
Will you be a doorkeeper? Can you say that you would prefer that to anything else? The future depends on you. If you let the wrong things in it will affect generations. Lots of people. Are you bringing people in? They will go to hell if you don’t. Help your brethren. The stakes are high, but the rewards are great; here and in heaven.