A World Opened

"A door closed, and a world opened."

Ever felt like that? Or do you wish you could feel like that?

I've been on both sides of that coin in my life, more often looking at the closed door than the opening.

But this is a quote from Sean McHugh who started the year off with the Detroit Lions, got cut by the team, and is now playing with the Pittsburgh Steelers (yes, Sean Michael Murphy, you may wave your Terrible Towel, sir).

Now, I know it's easy for us to look at McHugh and say, "Oh, must be nice" and dismiss it. But when you peel back the layers and dig into the whole story, you find out what a gut-wrenching journey he and his family have been on. See, Sean thought he was on the Lions roster solid, so he and his wife bought their first house. Then they found out she was pregnant with their second child. So new house, another child on the way and playing NFL football. Pretty much a dream life.

That is until he was called into the team president's office. And cut. From the worst team in NFL football. Can you imagine that? You're not good enough to play for the Lions? So here is Sean, cut from the lowly Lions organization, no guarantee of a salary, much less the league's minimum $520,000 a year. A baby on the way in addition to an 18-month old son counting on him. His wife depending on him. With just a small savings in the bank. And now they have to sell the house they just bought during one of the worst housing markets in ages.

A door definitely closed on Sean.

But then God showed up. And he got a call that changed his life from the Pittsburgh Steelers. They wanted him to try out, see what he could do. Now, let's pause there a second and lemme ask you this, if you had just been cut from the lousiest, cancer-ridden team in the league and got one shot to try out for one of the most elite squads in all of football history, how would you approach it? What would your mindset be? How much would you put into it?

For Sean McHugh, I'm guessing he gave it everything he had and it's turned out alright for him this year. Now, don't think he's out of the woods because he only has a year contract with the Steelers, so he very well may be cut again and trying out for another team next season. Maybe even the Lions. But he's focused on this Sunday, because he's playing in the Super Bowl.

Matthew 7:7-8 declares, "Be so persistent in your requests to God. Ask, and it will be given to you. Seek, and you will find. Knock, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, those who seek find, and to those who knock, the door will be opened wide."

Or in Sean McHugh's case, open to a whole new world.
Now, here comes the challenge for this week. I want you to think of the doors that have been closed in your life in order for God to show you your "whole new world". And I'm asking you to spend some time with God talking about that whole new wide-open world and, just like Sean, make the best of it. Just you and God, not pining about what could have been or toiling about who did you wrong. Just spending time with The One who does you right and creates opportunities for you that you could never have done yourself. Every single day. I bet you'll be moved. And impressed. And encouraged. And stop seeing the closed door and see the wide open opportunity God is giving you.

So have a great weekend, enjoy the Super Bowl and I don't know about you, but if I see #49 hit the field on Sunday, I'm gonna be rooting for that guy. And watch how he makes the best of his chance of a lifetime.

I pray you make the best of yours too. With God.