The Servants at the Door

A Door Greeter

In 2019 and 2020 during the COVID pandemic, I went through some dark moments in my life. I had left my job without a clear plan and had great difficulty finding a replacement. During that time I distracted myself with - media, pornography, music, video games, books - anything that could keep me from being sucked back into reality. It became so bad, that nearly any waking moment that I was not distracted and focused on something, the thoughts in my mind would repeat the exact phrase “why haven’t you ****** yourself yet? And the response to that was always “I don’t know.”

At times, I would find enough strength to get me to the church my family led before COVID got really bad, mostly to connect with them. Though I came as a visitor and was sure to put on a smile, I’m sure some saw through the facade as bad as it was sometimes. I’m not against people wearing what is comfortable, but I was wearing sweatpants at times to service because I lacked the energy to wash my clothes.

I wish I could say that one trip was all it took for me to have my eyes opened, but growing up in the church, I thought I already knew most of the Bible stories so I wasn’t receptive to the Word as I wish I would’ve been. However, there was one thing that stuck with me from those visits: the door greeter. It was the bright smile and welcome handshake of the door greeter. There was something different about him. I remember looking into his eyes and feeling like he saw right through me- not with judgement, but with the love of someone who really cared. I realize now, that at that door was not just the man who greeted me, but Jesus reaching me through him. 

It was years later that I gave my life to the Lord. But I will remember that for as long as I am able. 

To Be Stationed at the Door

Psalm 84:10 says this:

“For a day in Your courtyards is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather stand at the threshold of the house of my God Than live in the tents of wickedness.”

At that time, I was living in the “tents of wickedness”. I had nothing of substance to hold onto to keep me from experiencing these suicidal thoughts. Truly like living in a tent in a storm. However, when I came to the doors of that church I was met with the one assigned to the door. I now see that this verse speaks not only of the joy and delight of being in God’s presence, but also about the significance of the being one standing at the door.

In John 13: 3-4, we see Jesus humbling Himself to wash His disciples’ feet. This was an act reserved for gentile slaves, not for a rabbi. The roads were likely filled with manure from horses and animals, so those who would trek the roads by foot in sandals likely had soiled feet from their travels. Yet, Jesus took upon that role much to the displeasure of Peter. Peter even went so far as to initially go resist having His feet washed, but Jesus’s teaching and service was not only one of humility for His disciples, it was also a demonstration that He had come as a servant to mankind, to make clean that which had been unclean by sin. 

To stand at the door is to care more about loving people than being important. When Jesus laid aside His garments for a towel He shows this very sentiment.

I tend to think of the role we have as witnesses as being ones to take position as servants at the door. Those with the initial encounter to lead others to the Lord of the dwelling place. Is there a joy greater than to be a witness for others to come to know Him? To be a door greeter is to be entrusted as a representative of God. In this world, a door greeter or a butler may not be seen as significant, but in God’s eyes it is the humble and obedient servants who are to be exalted.

The Cost of Serving at the Door

To be a good servant is to remember that a person’s soul is worth more than our own discomfort. Too often we find ourselves in disobedience because we tell ourselves someone else will do it. Why do you think it is that you had the thought serving to begin with? It can be difficult for some to share the gospel with a stranger, but what about to your coworkers who could very well act in a way to undermine your position in retaliation? How much more difficult is that? Do you trust God enough to see it through? What if just a few words led someone you thought would never be receptive to become a believer in Jesus?

We also must care more about loving people than being hurt. Earlier this year, I came up to a man with the intentions to serve and instead received yelling and negative accusations towards me for nearly ten minutes. The longer I listened to the man unload, the more I began to sense the sadness, grief, and pain in his words. I had no words to say that could appease him. All I could do was listen and say that I was sorry for what he was going through. From that event, I realized that to love someone is to allow oneself to willingly be vulnerable even if it hurts you in the process. What we must not allow is the hurt to keep us from continuing the mission to deliver love.

Desire not the riches of this world, the self indulgences, the distractions; desire instead to be met with the words “well done, good and faithful servant” when we meet Jesus in heaven.