I remember many years ago, as a member of New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, listening to Bishop Eddie Long preach about transition. He said something that stuck with me and helps get me through almost every challenging situation I have faced since. He spoke of how everybody likes to quote that favorite saying: “When God closes a window He always opens a door” when they’re trying to encourage you about whatever it is you may be facing. But what do you do while you’re in the hallway… with the windows closed and the doors not opened yet. Even now when I reflect on that I still have to just sit and let it breathe… wow. What do I do while I’m in the hallway… before that door opens, before my breakthrough, before that opportunity meets my preparation, before my change comes, what do I do? Most people visualize that window closing and door opening simultaneously. Not so.
The hallway represents a period of transition. What you do in the hallway, in transition, will have great consequence on the how and when of your door opening. You can choose to wallow in the sea of denial, “why me”, “it’s not fair”, and “I just don’t understand”. You can become bitter and cynical, ever-negative about the future, alienating any and everyone that comes into your space during that time. Or… You can choose to remain steadfast and focused with your eyes on the prize, trusting your “one day” “open door” will occur when it’s supposed to. You can choose to find the good in your present situation and enjoy that while working towards your goal. You will have to remind yourself that the hallway is only temporary and that “this too shall pass,” harnessing all thoughts working for the demise of your hope. The hallway can be a time of rest, or learning, or building, which are all good things. This is not to say that it’s easy in the hallway. It is not. You will constantly battle feelings of defeat, of being stuck and of hopelessness. It’s the unknown of time we’ll have to spend in the hallway that makes us crazy! I say “we” because like some of you, I’m in the hallway right now. But one day, if we keep moving, we will wake up to our “one day”, and the door will open. Thank you Bishop Long for preparing me for the hallway experiences of life.
