Walk Right In

Mom, I’m right down the road.
Do you want to see my hair?
My daughter was a bridesmaid in a wedding this past weekend.
She had her hair styled for the occasion.

Of course! I can’t wait to see it! I said, hoping she would catch my excitement.
I can’t come in, she said; I have to head over to get ready so meet me on the driveway.
Within minutes, she was pulling into the driveway.
She was out of the car and I hugged her.

Turn around and let me see the back, I said trying to spin her by the shoulders.
She turned and I saw that the back of her hair was as lovely as the front.
My husband came out and offered to take a few pictures.
That’s what dad’s do.

Any one of my children can stop over at any time.
They know the house is always open.
I love when they get a snack and sit at the counter to talk.
They know where everything is and no matter where they live, this is home.

Familiarity.
Family ties.
All-access pass.
Open door policy.

I remember telling my Sunday school class a story years ago.
The story took place during the Civil War.
A young solider in the Union Army lost his brother and father in the battle of Gettysburg.
The young soldier wanted to see President Lincoln about an exemption from service.

He got a furlough and went to Washington to plead with the President.
The young soldier wanted to go back and help his mother and sister with spring planting.
The guard at the front gate would not let the soldier inside to see the President.
Don’t you know there is a war on? The President is a very busy man!

The young soldier, tired and weary, left and sat down on a nearby park bench.
A little boy came up to him.
Soldier, you look unhappy. What’s wrong?
The soldier looked at the little boy and explained his frustration.

After he told of his desperate situation, the little boy responded.
I can help you, Soldier, and he took the soldier by the hand.
They went back to the gate, and passed the guard.
They walked up to the front door and walked right in.

They passed a high ranking official who never said a word.
Finally, they reached the office where the President was working.
The little boy walked right in without knocking.
Abraham Lincoln was sitting at his desk with his Secretary of State nearby.

Good afternoon, Todd. Can you introduce me to your friend?
Todd Lincoln, the son of the President, made the introduction.
Daddy, this soldier needs to talk to you.
The soldier was able to plead his case and he received the exemption he needed.

Familiarity.
Family ties.
All-access pass.
Open door policy.

For you did not receive a spirit that makes you a slave again to fear, but you received the Spirit of sonship. And by Him we cry, “Abba, Father.” The Spirit Himself testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children. Now if we are children, then we are heirs – heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ, if indeed we share in His suffering in order that we may also share in His glory. (Romans 8:15-17)

Because of Jesus we have an all-access pass to the Father.
If we are in Christ, there is always an open door policy.
The family ties are established because of Jesus and we can now call God, our Father.
If we are in Christ, we can address Him with the familiar term of Abba, Daddy.

It’s like when my children come home and know that they can sit and talk and linger.
They know that food and fellowship await them.
They can just walk right in.
Hi, Mom; they know they will be received with love and hugs and time.

Children have access to home that a stranger would not have.
Children are free to just come on in.
Everyone else has to knock.
The door is always open for a child.

God’s door is always open for His children.
Because of Jesus we can come.
An old hymn says it best.
Just As I Am with lyrics written by Charlotte Elliott and music by William B. Bradbury.

Just as I am, without one plea,
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidst me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, and waiting not
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, though tossed about
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, poor, wretched, blind;
sight, riches, healing of the mind,
yea, all I need in thee to find,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thou wilt receive,
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

Just as I am, thy love unknown
hath broken every barrier down;
now, to be thine, yea thine alone,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.

How refreshing to know that we are accepted just as we are.
We don’t have to approach God with our act together.
We don’t have to approach God with our ducks in a row.
But we must approach Him knowing that He is holy.

God the Father is approachable.
God the Father is always available for His children.
God the Father mends our brokenness.
God the Father accepts us as we are but sanctifies us so we don’t have to stay that way.

Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks the door will be opened. (Matthew 7: 7,8)

Children don’t have to knock.
They can walk right in.
Their Daddy is waiting to hear their heart.
Their Daddy is waiting.

Just as you are.
Come.