CLOSURE

CLOSURE - By Vickie Evans

“What he opens no one can shut, and what he shuts no one can open.” (Revelation 3:7b NIV)....

Closure – Merriam-Webster on-line dictionary defines it as “an often comforting or satisfying sense of finality”. But when we are saying goodbye or being forced to “close” (foreclosure) something that we have grown fond of, or that we have formed an attachment with; it is neither “satisfying” nor “comforting”. The year 2008, although slated as, “A Year of New Beginnings”, has brought about many “closures” in my life, a few I had to be “forced” into (God shutting the door that no man could open). After two decades (actually more) in a career track that have brought “joy” and “pain” and “ups” and “downs”, I said goodbye to a career in information technology and “by faith” (and I am out here strictly on faith), I walked into the door of entrepreneurship and full-time ministry. As a fellow author, Wanda Childs (whom I hope to highlight in our “Artist Spotlight” this year), can testify and so admirably wrote in her book “Pushed into My Purpose”, I was “definitely “forced” into closure in this area. A few days after producing my play, “A Change is Gonna Come”, at the Lincoln Theatre, and preparing to return to work after a week-long vacation, Divine Revelation revealed that my return would be short-lived and indeed it was time to “make a change”. In less than a week, the contract ended and my position was “down sized”. Of course, fear was my first reaction! Fear of failure, fear of poverty, and fear of losing material things. At that time, I did not reflect on Matthew 6:33 that states “Seek Ye First the Kingdom of God and All These Things shall be Added…” nor did I see it as God shutting a door so that He could open another. After six months into my “new beginning”, I can truly say that “God’s Word does not lie”; I have not missed a beat – Jehovah Jireh has provided. Let me say that His Provision did not come in the way that I imagined nor has my transition been easy; I had to make some major adjustments—and yes I had to let go of some things that I had formed attachments; but not without replacement. He knows what is best for me!....

Another closure actually began in 2008, but came to pass in 2009, which I have penned as “My Harvest Time!” After 19 years of living in Virginia (starting in Fort Belvoir, to Woodbridge, and finally in Fredericksburg), I pulled up stakes and moved to Charlotte, North Carolina; a dream that I have carried for three years or so). The funny thing about this dream is that I had never been to Charlotte—my first visit was October 2008, and as of January 3, 2009, I am now living the dream. No dream comes without sacrifice; this is the first time that I have lived this far from my three children, Kyeisha, Richie, and Jonathan, so as a mother I am dealing with some issues; but, there are times when you have to cut the apron strings and allow God to be God in their lives, without interference. There comes a time when you have to truly exercise your gift of prayer to see and know that “prayer changes things”! I also had to leave close friends, but the funny thing about moving—you really can evaluate who your “real” friends are! I would like to thank my friends and family members that helped me pack, opened your homes to me, and fed me (smile) during this transition. OK, moving on! And of course, no good things are accomplished without opposition, and opposition I have truly faced. Opposition with my former house in Virginia; opposition in actually getting to Charlotte – I made three trips back and forth from Virginia to Charlotte during the weekend—I even drove the moving truck, which was an accomplishment for me—I like small cars! I must give special thanks to my son Richie, who endured it all with me. I can truly affirm Philippians 4:13—“I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!” ....

All these events have truly been “God shutting doors” yet the second part of that equation is when “God opens doors”, no man can shut it. I have a lovely two-bedroom apartment in Charlotte, with a sunroom. Originally, I applied for a one-bedroom apartment because I believed that was all I could afford, which God shut the door to—I was turned down because of my self-employment status. I was disappointed because it was my first choice, it even had a theater room, which I thought I could use to conduct business. When I went back to Charlotte the second time, and was Divinely instructed to apply for the two-bedroom apartment, which I loved more than my first choice, the door open. I did not have to prove anything—no self employment, nothing! I was even exempt from the $50 application fee. Indeed, our ways are not His ways, but His Way is the best way! And when He opens doors for you, Oh my God! ....

Some of you may be facing some “closures” in your life—foreclosure, unemployment, divorce, even church (I have an article that I wrote entitled, “church hurt” that I will share in the upcoming months); whatever the situation—it may not feel like a “good” thing, but it is A “God” Thing! Stand firm in the test and know that you have brothers and sisters, like me, who have been through, succeeded, and survived (read Isaiah 43 and Psalm 91 for comfort). If he did it for us, He can do the same thing for you—He is no respect of persons! Behold I set before you an “open door”!....