Divine Door Dilemma

Hey there beautiful soul, welcome back!

Oh, the anticipation! The scent of opportunity hung in the air, and I promise you I could almost taste success. I could feel it in my bones; this was it, my moment!

I was sure to keep it holy—had a whole conversation and double-checked my alignment with God, and even threw in a prayer for Him to slam that door shut if it wasn't part of His divine plan. But, lo and behold, plot twist! The news hit like a curveball—they went with someone else.

Wait, what!? I saw all signs pointed to a divine thumbs-up!

Numbness set in, not a tear shed, not an ounce of anger summoned. It was like I had been hit with a cosmic tranquilizer whose effects were a lingering "meh" over feeling stranded, not knowing my next move.

"Okay, Jesus, what's the deal? Did I miss a memo?"

"And why lead me down the 'yellow brick road' only to snatch it away at the last mile?"

"I did the whole shebang with you, Lord!" I lamented. "At the beginning of this adventure, I asked you for a 'no-go' if you were not on board with this opportunity, and even affrimed my committment to praise, honor, and follow you even if things go south!" I cried.

Well, guess what? South it went. Prayer answered, door shut.

Never felt this way before. Talk about a unique experience...

Receiving a resounding "no" from God while on this journey is tough. Did my old ways sneak in? Did I lose a bit of faith, letting the enemy swoop in?

When I cracked open my daily scripture, and there it was, my anchor verse—Psalm 23:6:

Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.

"Seriously, Lord, after you slam the door, you hit me with a reminder that goodness and mercy are my eternal sidekicks!?" I had to chuckele over this one.

Anyhoo, curiosity led me to go on a Psalm 23 song spree. Turns out, there are more hits than I expected! To name a few: the hymnal version I learnt in church (written about 17th Century by Francis Rous), Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir ft. Shane & Shane, People & Songs, Reuben Kigame, Msanii Music Group, Phil Wickham ft. Tiffany Hudson —the Psalm 23 list is a hymn-lover's paradise.

Then it hit me—in the prayer I had sent up, asking the Lord to swing open the right doors and slam shut the wrong ones, I was asking Him to shepherd my life paths in line with Psalm 23. See why I was amused?

Goodness and mercy. No matter what, they're there, even when God closes a door and kindly reminds me who's really in charge. They're there when I trust, when " I walk through the valley of the shadow of death", "beside the still waters and in the "green pastures".

Thank God I had already decided on my response earlier on. I am still going to honor, trust, and serve God. Doesn't erase the pain, but it does nudge me to

move forward and, hardest of all, try again as His "rod and staff comfort me" and He "restores my soul". As Elevation Worship beautifully puts it, He is "more than able" even at such a moment as this when I feel helpless.

With men this is impossible,

but with God all things are possible. Matt 19:26

I have to remember, my view is limited, God's vision is limitless. This closed door, this heart-juggling journey—it's all part of His grand plan, a protection and preparation for what lies ahead. This is my testimony: goodness and mercy follow me every day, and the next door? It's going to blow my mind. My head is afterall, "anointed with oil and "my cup runs over".

Who am I to deny what the Lord can do? In the up lifting words of Ephesians 3:20-21,

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.

Keep the praise on!

Stay tuned, stay blessed!

Harmoniously yours!

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What is your favorite Psalm 23 song that should be on everyone's playlist?

Please share in the comments below.

We will also add it to the Songtimony Playlist on Spotify for everyone to be blessed!