On a recent trip to California, I was struck by the beauty of the entry gates to homes in Beverly Hills. They were just beautiful. I thought about installing a similar gate to the one pictured above at my home in Texas and how lovely that would be. I took several pictures of these gates with plans to post them in my blog. My intent was to discuss outdoor landscaping and the use of gates. However, divine inspiration has taken me elsewhere.

One of the definitions of a gate, according to Miriam Webster, is “a movable barrier.” What gates or barriers in our lives are we striving to open? Is our heart set on opening a gate that the heavenly Father has closed to us. Do you ever wonder why after your best efforts that you cannot get that gate to open? We could be working hard to open a gate that will lead us to heartache, disappointment, or even danger. Further, this work takes us away from the plan that God has for our lives. And frankly, it takes us further away from God.

It is hard in our limited knowledge to understand the wisdom of God’s ways. Therefore, we must trust that He loves us and wants what is best for us. He wants to bring us ever closer to Him. And at times that means, further away from any distractions or deterrents by keeping the gate closed. I encourage you to pray for your clarity in His guidance of you, such that you recognize when the gate is closed and turn away from it. Also, pray for peace in your heart to not question His judgment on closing it or leaving it closed. I want for us all to one day say, as Jacob did, “How awesome is this place! This is none other than the house of God; this is the gate of heaven.” (Genesis 28:17, NIV). For everything that we do should be focused on passing through those gates.