The Squeaky Doors of Life

My internship congregation is preparing for their big 50th anniversary. The church is young in comparison to most but yet shows signs of age. Chipped paint, worn electrical ballasts, stained carpet, and squeaky doors. For the church one thing that is noticeable, at least to me is the front door. It's hinges are worn and squeak. This is due to the shifting of the ground with frost, freeze, thaw, repeat and the normal wear and tear of the building. The squeaky door is one familiar sound that I can recognize even in my distant back room office.

No matter how loudly no matter how softly I try to close it or how slowly. It didn’t matter. It sque—eak—ed! I decided to take a can of WD-40 and fix the squeak. A quick spray on each hinge and the top door arm did the trick.

The thought lodged in my mind, and I couldn't help but wonder, how many times do we as believers squeak? Now I’m not talking about “squeaking for Jesus”. I’m talking about how many times we may be an irritating squeak that others hear. Our lives should flow in love and grace, peace and joy as we walk through our daily routines, both at home and at work or play. But how many of us are “out of tune”, “rusted and scraping”, “squeaky and moaning”? None of us are perfect, but we should be pressing forward, increasing in faith, and growing in the knowledge and grace of the Lord. What happens many times instead? We encounter a trial or difficulty, and it begins to grate on our spiritual nerves, and if we don’t put a watch on our mouth, we can “lose” it right then. And that’s when we begin to squeak. And the squeaking isn't just on our doors (what we say); it’s on the floors we walk along (where we go). If we could hear the world walk by us – the folks around us who walk in the world – I think we would hear the sad, moaning squeaks of people who don’t have the oil of gladness for the spirit of heaviness. They haven’t discovered that Jesus relieves the squeaks, the groans and moans in our lives.

Isaiah 61:1-3 says that Jesus was sent to “bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives, and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord….to comfort all who mourn…and those who grieve….to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair…”

In the time of trial: pray. It sounds so simple but prayer allows us to take it to God. It's like the WD-40 of life. It's great for many things and can be used in most any situation. Unlike WD-40, God never tires or runs out. He's all ears all the time. When you feel oppressed or attacked by the Enemy, when you feel that squeak of the tongue about to open pray and ask God for help. Pray or seek the Scriptures! The Devil can't stand the Word, nor the Name of Jesus.--He turns tail and runs! (James 4:7)

Prayer reminds me that I'm not in control, but it keeps me close to the one that is. 

Be aware how you’re walking today. Don’t let the cares of the world make you groan and moan as you walk. Christ has overcome walk in His overflowing joy, everlasting peace, and abiding grace. THAT will give you light feet and a bounce in your step. That’s the way to eliminate the squeaks.