Don’t you hate it when you get locked out of your own house? It happened to us this morning. Somehow the door between the garage and the house got locked. So we began to circle around the outside of the house looking for an unlocked window. We are way too careful – nothing on the first floor. Then my wife remembered a second story window that was unlocked. I know this sounds very unmanly but she would not allow me on the ladder. Up she went. How I wanted a camera to get a picture of two feet sticking out of the window as she crawled in face first.
I know someone will respond to this by telling me to hide a key outside. I thought I had. But a rabbit must have gotten it. There is no over-estimating the value of a key, whether it is a piece of metal or a virtual key to open computer programs. In Matthew 16:19 Jesus told His disciples He was giving them the keys to His kingdom. Having a key to something can be very important. Whenever I see someone with a huge ring of keys on his belt I imagine how important he must be. The more keys the more responsibility. I think that’s the reason the only key to our college I ever wanted was the one to my office. That’s it – limited keys – limited access – limited responsibility.
But one responsibility I could not avoid was the keys to the kingdom. My attitude and care or lack of toward my students is a very important key. When they are young and making life decisions I want them to choose Jesus. The key to that decision can very much be the way I/we treat them.
Written by Roger Bothwell on September 19, 2011
Spring of Life Ministry, PO Box 124, St. Helena, CA 94574
Rogerbothwell.org