Knowing God's Character: God Opens Doors (Matthew 7:7-8)

Are you ready to step forward in faith and show your kids what big faith looks like even when the future feels uncertain?

In this powerful episode of 7 Minute Devotions for Busy Parents, host Christen Clark shares quirky and relatable stories from her own family to inspire parents navigating the chaotic rhythms of family life. Discover how spiritual growth and discipleship can flourish at home when we trust God to open doors, model faith, and help our children find their purpose even if it feels scary.

• [00:01:51] How the story of Moses and the Israelites reveals lessons about walking through open doors in faith and family life
• [00:03:09] What happened when the priests stepped into the Jordan River—why courage is needed for raising Christian kids

Resources:

• Instagram: @7minutedevotions, @christenclark
• Family Podcast: @collidekidspodcast

Transcript

Christen Clark [00:00:02]:

Hey there and welcome to 7 Minute Devotions for Busy Parents. I'm your host, Kristin Clark. I'm a mom, a ministry leader, and someone who totally understands how chaotic family life can be. Between work, laundry, carpool lines, it can feel impossible to slow down and connect with God. And so that's why I created this show, to give you a few minutes of encouragement and truth right in the middle of your busy week. And don't forget, if you're looking for fun, faith filled content for your family, check out my other podcast, the Collide Kids Podcast. It's full of great conversations with people about their job and what they love about it and how they got to that and how they serve God through the things they're passionate about. It really does help build some great family conversations as well.

Christen Clark [00:00:46]:

So head over there, wherever you get your podcast, and listen to that. All right, let's jump into today's devotion. Have you ever seen one of those funny videos where someone walks right into a glass door? It's hilarious when it's not you, right? But it's pretty embarrassing when it is. We have a dog named Arlo and he's had one of those moments. Well, a few times we had a plexiglass door in our garage that he didn't realize was closed. And one day he came running full speed and wham. Ran straight into it. He wasn't hurt, I don't think.

Christen Clark [00:01:24]:

But now every time he walks towards that door, he stops, he looks up at us and waits to make sure it's actually open. And honestly, I can relate to this in real life because I'm cautious with glass doors as well. And in my spiritual walk too, I've had times where I thought God was opening a door for me. But then something didn't go as planned. Now, like my dog Arlo, I sometimes hesitate, wondering if it's really safe to move forward. In Matthew 7, 7, 8, Jesus says, Ask and it will be given to you. Seek and you will find, and knock and the door will be open to you. This verse is a promise, but it's also an invitation.

Christen Clark [00:02:05]:

Yes, God opens doors, but he also calls us to participate in faith. We have to ask, seek, and knock. When we talk about God opening doors, we often imagine a big, obvious miracle. But sometimes the door he opens still requires courage to walk through it. Think about the story of Moses in the Red Sea. I know we talked about Moses last week. Well, as they're standing in front of the waters, that God had just parted this wall of water. But the Israelites still had to walk through it.

Christen Clark [00:02:39]:

Imagine how terrifying that must have been. Huge walls of water on both sides, enemies right behind you. And yet they had to step forward. They had to take a step of faith. Sometimes that's exactly what obedience looks like. God provides the way, but we have to walk through it. And just like the Israelites at the Red Sea, there's another story later in scripture that comes to my mind. It's from the book of Joshua, where God's people once again stood before a body of water.

Christen Clark [00:03:09]:

This time it was the Jordan River. But unlike before, the water didn't part right away. There were no towering walls of water, no dramatic path waiting for them. And it was just rushing river standing between them and the promise God had given. And yet God told them to move forward. Now, as soon as the priests carrying the Ark of the Covenant stepped into the water, before they could even see the miracle, the water stopped flowing upstream. Only then did the dry path appear. Can you imagine how terrifying that must have been? It wasn't obvious, it wasn't easy, but it was still an open door.

Christen Clark [00:03:46]:

And walking through it required big faith. As parents, we see this pattern play out with our kids. We open doors of opportunity for them all the time. Whether it's signing them up for a new sport, encouraging a friendship, or teaching them something. That's hard. But at some point, they have to walk through that door for themselves. We can't do it for them. What we can do is pray for their futures, ask God to guide them, and open doors in their lives and.

Christen Clark [00:04:16]:

But we also know they'll need courage to step into those moments. And they're going to learn that courage by watching us. When our kids see us trusting God with our choices, with our finances, or even with our fears, they begin to understand what faith really looks like. It's not just believing that God can do something. It's trusting him enough to take the next step, even when it's scary. So maybe there's something in your life right now that feels uncertain. Maybe you're standing in front of an open door and. And you can't quite see what's on the other side.

Christen Clark [00:04:48]:

Friend. God already knows that he knows what's on the other side. He is inviting you to step forward. And when you do, you'll discover that he's been waiting for you there all along. Let's pray together. God, we thank you so much for being a loving father who loves us and provides for us and opens doors in our lives. Sometimes that's so scary to take that first step. Give us the courage God to walk through opportunities you've put in front of us.

Christen Clark [00:05:30]:

These doors that you've placed before us help us to trust that you've already gone before us and you're going to come behind us. You are making a way and God help us to be examples for our kids. Let our kids see that faith in us so that they can learn to trust in you too. In Jesus name amen. Well thanks for spending these few minutes with me today. Hey if this devotion encouraged you well you share it with a friend or maybe you know of another parent who might need that reminder to keep trusting God and to walk through those open doors and don't forget to follow us on social media at 7 Minute Devotions on Facebook and Instagram and and then you can share the episode on your social media with someone else who might need that encouragement. Well thank you so much for listening today and until next time keep showing up. God is with you.