Often in the New Testament, when it speaks of spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ, you'll find the image of an open door. Acts 14:27 says, "And...they reported all that God had done with them, and that He had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles." The apostle Paul was especially fond of that image: "...meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word" (Colossians 4:3). "For a great and effective door has opened to me" (1 Corinthians 16:9). "...and a door was opened to me by the Lord" (2 Corinthians 2:12).

An open door is an invitation, an opportunity. When one appears, you have only to go through it. Sometimes we pray for God to open a door for us to share Christ, and there's one right by us. We have great opportunities all the time, with people around us.

Here's a great example. A young man went up to Charles Spurgeon, the great Victorian preacher in London, and said, "Mr. Spurgeon, I have it in my soul to win people to Christ. What shall I do?" Spurgeon asked, "What is your job? What do you do?" The man replied, "I'm an engineer on the railroad." Spurgeon said, "Is your fireman a Christian?" When the young man said he didn't know, Spurgeon said, "Go back and find out, and then start with him."

That's the kind of open door of opportunity that's around each of us. The mature, observant Christian will walk through it. Some of you are artists, writers, musicians, mechanics, engineers, teachers, housewives... All of us have open doors that God has placed just for us; we just have to look for them.

God opens doors of service for us that no one can shut. The problem is, we don't always look for them. When we pray, "God, open a door," we should expect to find one right where we are. All around us are open doors to share Christ with unbelievers--in our neighborhood, in our work, in our community, even in our own families.

The key is to have a vital, growing relationship with Jesus Christ. When you are on fire for Him you will attract others to Him, because that kind of faith is contagious. So number one, get close to Jesus Christ, and get enthusiastic about what He is doing in your life. Then, look for those opportunities, those open doors. And don't be surprised when you find that God has already provided them for you!