Behind Closed Doors

Two things come to mind when I think about the expression, “Behind closed doors.” The first image that comes to mind is a serious meeting between two parties. Whether these two parties belong to a family, the heads of a state, or world leaders, one can be certain that this discussion will be brutally frank.

The second image that comes to mind is just as intense; however, the scene is one of openness, intimacy, and passion. It is a picture of two people sharing their affections for each other.

Jesus may not have had these two images in mind when He said, “when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father…” (Matthew 6:6). However, I think of the same kind of intensity and passion when I think of Jesus’ words.

I’ve painfully learned that when I leave the door open and invite others in, it exposes the intimacy that should have been reserved for Him alone. Jesus’ words about the Pharisees (Matthew 6:5) also grieves me because it reminds me of another profession that peddles themselves in temples and on street corners...