The French doorway to the Dubai restaurant felt unusual. First, I could not recall any UAE restaurant with this type of door. Secondly, at night, the glass panes gave each person a wonderful and confusing mix of the past (reflection) and future (insight). I watched this ever-changing mosaic play out with each person in our group as they entered. Just as I thought I understood what the door was sharing, the scene changed. When I entered, I found myself wrestling with the surprised awareness that wherever I had been, I was now somewhere very different.
As I study the photograph, I find myself listening to life unpack the story and my lessons.
Doorways only become tangible when one steps through. Even as I watched others, I realized what was real and tangible for others was simply a short-life movie for me. It was fascinating to watch. I imagined the experience I could see in others. Yet, when I went through the doorway for myself, it was different. What had been a play on my mind and heart was now real.
Stepping into and through the doorway changes everything. In this case, hot humid air was now cool and dry. The chaotic noise of the street vanished. In its place, there was a buzz of conversations at the edge of one’s hearing and great music. It took me a moment to realise that I had stepped out of the past and was now in the present. It was as if I was acting out Paul’s remember; “Didn’t you realize we packed up and left there for good? That is what happened in baptism. When we went under the water, we left the old country of sin behind; when we came up out of the water, we entered into the new country of grace – a new life in a new land!” (Romans 6.3)
A stepped into an amazing dinner with friends last night. Today I step into a new chapter where I am the author. In knowing is an opportunity to be fully alive, intentional, and committed.
